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Guam High graduate sets four track records

IT IS a rarity to find athletes who constantly carry the “never give up” attitude while staying determined and dedicated to giving nothing but their best.

This past school year, the Guam High Panthers' girls track team achieved top honors in the 2012 IIAAG High School Track and Field League. However, within the team, one of their very own stood out and has placed her name into the record books. Determined to always do her personal best while helping her Panthers squad on the track, 18-year-old Stefani Loisel has broken three individual records and one with her 4x100 relay team.

“To beat my own personal record [is] always a goal I strive for. But to set high school records is incredible,” Loisel said. “I haven’t had that feeling of accomplishment in a sport I love. It has given me the confidence to go further and push myself more.”

The recent graduate broke records that have stood in the books for more than a decade. The oldest of the records broken was the 100-meter hurdles. Loisel replaced a mark that was held by Marci Collins for the last 26 years. Collins’ old record of 16.70 was replaced with the new mark of 15.65.

For the young Yigo resident, her perseverance throughout the season led to many more accomplishments that included breaking the 200-meter run mark of 26.20 set by Keesha Moore in 1996. The new record now stands at 26.19.

The third individual mark set was done in the 300-meter hurdles. Beating the old mark of 48.80 by more than a second, Loisel’s fastest time was recorded at 47.01.

While making strides in individual races, Loisel was also a part of her school’s 4x100 relay team that completed the event in 51.62 and broke the old record set by the 2010 team from Guam High. Joining Loisel in the record-setting team was Jaia Armstrong, Victoria Davis, and Ashley Barnes.

Despite her high school years as an athlete coming to an official end, the aspiring student-athlete is looking forward to enlisting in the United States Air Force in January and being part of their track team.

“I will be enlisting in the USAF and hopefully I can run track or train, and I wish to earn a degree through the military as well,” Loisel said.

With a lot of the success this young lady has had come a lot of thanks for the support she has been given through it all. Loisel extends a special thanks to her father and sister who have come to every meet, her Panthers teammates, as well as her coaches.

When asked what kind of message she would like to give young athletes still in school, Loisel said: “Never give up. Don’t quit. Everyone has something inside them and all it takes is dedication and practice. Nobody said it would be easy, but that’s what makes success all the more meaningful.”