Lakeville senior pictures one more taste of state

Kaitlin VanWinkle is wrapping up her final girls' track season at Lakeville South before heading to college to continue a volleyball career.

The senior helped the Cougars to the state true team title last month. Lakeville South finished with 880 points, nearly 60 more than runner-up Prior lake.

VanWinkle took fifth place in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.81 seconds. This week she'll compete at state on her team's 4x200 relay.

Here is a closer look at VanWinkle, who also is also playing volleyball on the AAU circuit:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... "Long Hot Summer" by Keith Urban; "Haight Street" by Anberlin; "Without You" by David Guetta and Usher.

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Funny; friendly; talkative.

How do you balance school and sports throughout your high school career? I stay organized with my school work, and talk to my teachers ahead of time if I will be gone because of games or meets.

How and when did you get started playing the sports you played in high school? I have been in track since kindergarten and started volleyball in sixth grade. My parents encouraged me to try a variety of sports as I was growing up. I have always loved to compete, and am thankful I've been successful in both track and volleyball.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... excited and nervous.

What did you work on in the off-season? My offseason is short. I play volleyball year-round, so it helps keep me in shape for track.

What is your goal for the remainder of the track season? Make it to the state meet in any of my events.

To get focused for a game or meet, I ... focus on something I want to achieve, whether jump a certain distance, run a specific time or get a certain amount of kills or blocks. I then try to picture myself doing that.

What is your favorite meal before a meet? Any kind of pasta.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Winning true team state this year in track because our team worked so hard to get there. It was a fun, competitive atmosphere. Making it to section finals in volleyball was another exciting memorable moment.

Who is your school's biggest rival, and why? Lakeville North because we are in the same town and are very competitive.

When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do? I love to travel and spend time with family and friends.

What is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? Well, my new favorite college is Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where I will be playing volleyball. Go Dragons!

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... happy, healthy and successful.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? Give it all you've got, work hard and leave it all on the court/track.

RON HAGGSTROM