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Clinton High School Girls Track Stars Sign National Letters of Intent

Each year across the country student-athletes commit to continuing their passion for athletics while pursuing their college degree.  This was the case earlier this month when 4 female student-athletes decided to celebrate their decision together at Clinton High School and to anyone’s knowledge is the first time in CHS history where 4 athletes from the same spring sport sign to run track in college.  Olivia Earle, Aryn Scott, Tori Burke and Payne Turney have been planning this event for a while and finally got the opportunity to have their signing ceremony in front of their friends, family, teachers, and coaches.  The ladies wanted to sign together as a family because the girls track & field team is just that… “family.”

 

Olivia Earl is one of the most positive and joyful athletes to be on the girls track team.  She is a positive influence and encourager with her teammates, coaches and her competition.  Olivia has worked very hard through some injuries over her high school career to accomplish a 2019 CIC Girls Conference Championship and was a 2019 IHSA State Qualifier in the pole vault.  Olivia continues to sharpen her skills in the pole vault through her strength and conditioning, practices, and faith.  Olivia’s positive influence, determination, faith, and strength will help her make her way at Olivet Nazarene University while studying to be an elementary teacher and participating in Track and Field.  Nothing but big bars ahead for Olivia Earl!

 

Aryn Scott is a very positive, coachable, and a hard worker which are attributes that will contribute to her collegiate years ahead at Greenville College.  Aryn is always willing to race whatever distance the team needed and that is one of many attributes that makes her so successful.  In 2019 Aryn placed 3rd at the CIC Conference Championships in the 3200m run and was a key runner in the 4X800 IHSA State Relay!  With Aryns confidence, faith, determination and beliefs she will be a strong member of the Greenville College Cross Country and Track & Field team while pursuing a degree in Dermatology.  Nothing but big strides ahead for Ayrn Scott.

 

Tori Burke is a hard worker both on the track and off the track.  T-Burke’s commitment and ability to recognize what is takes to be successful has shown in her success as an athlete.  Tori is a valued leader of the track and field team and is a great roll model for underclassmen.  Tori is always working on technique to help her in the blocks.  Tori achieved the 2018 CIC Conference Champion Title in the 100m and was a 2019 IHSA State Qualifier among other accomplishments.  Tori’s faith, work ethic, and leadership skills will help her make her way at Illinois Wesleyan University while studying to be a nurse and participating in Track and Field. Nothing but fast strides ahead of Tori Burke.

 

Payne Turney is a natural born leader and leads by faith and examples in everything she does.  She displays great sportsmanship, a positive attitude, and is ALWAYS very humble.  Both on and off the track Payne finds ways to be her best, but in a way to stay humble.  Payne is committed to pushing herself into races and events to challenge her inner self and she does that will so much success.  Payne holds the most records of any athlete in Clinton Girls Track History. She holds every record, indoor or outdoor, F/S or varsity, from the 800m run to the 3200m run.  She has qualified multiple times for the IHSA state meet and indoor top times for the 800, 1600, and 3200m run.  Her best finish came in 2019 when she became Clinton’s first EVER Girls State Track and Field Champion in the 800 m.  Payne is undoubtedly committed to doing what it takes to be the best and she will flourish at Purdue University majoring in Biochemistry while competing on the cross country and track and field team.  Nothing but big strides ahead for Payne Turney.

 

All four of these female track and field athletes have played instrumental rolls in the Back to Back to Back CIC Conference Championships.   Tim Burke mentioned that “The girls track and field program has undoubtedly the most supportive teammates and coaching staff I have ever witnessed.  Thank you for the past 4-year lesson in what teamwork is all about!”    All four of these student-athletes are successful in the classroom as well as an athlete and that allows for the underclassmen to look to these 4 for guidance, leadership, and support.  “This is a great testimony of hard work does pays off.  

 

I am blown away by the girls and how they’ve bought into what an excellent coaching staff has put into place.  Every one of these college programs is getting the best young lady for their teams” says Ryan Sosamon.  The Clinton Girls Track and Field Program is coached by Rachel Lyons, Leann Sosamon, Ken Lovett, and Darren Moser.  All four of these coaches not only coach, but they too lead by faith, teach life lessons, and promote a family atmosphere.

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