Gary Ayers
ayers5315@bellsouth.net
One of Swain’s and the state’s most decorated athletes, Arizona Blankenship, signed to compete at the next level with an athletic college scholarship with the University of Central Arkansas Bears in a signing ceremony held at the high school gym Friday, Nov. 15.
With her senior indoor and outdoor track seasons still on the horizon, Blankenship has already won a total of 24 state championship rings.
Her career has been incredible. Despite injury, Arizona has 10 team titles and two individual cross country titles, which include a new state record this year. On the indoor circuit, Blankenship has two titles with the 4x800 meter relay, two titles in the 1600-meter run, and one title in the 3200-meter run. In outdoor track, she has three titles in the 4x800 meter relays, two titles in the 1600-meter event and two titles in the 3200-meter event.
Arizona has won numerous Runner of the Year, Conference and Regional honors. But it hasn't always been easy.
"In my freshman year, I tore the bottom of my foot during the transition from indoor track to basketball, and I just kind of ran indoors,” she said. “Then, in my sophomore year going into the summer playing basketball, I blew out my knee completely. It was estimated I would be out for a year, but I came back in 6 months, and I raced for indoor and state and pulled my quad as well, maybe coming back too quickly."
Another injury hit the next year.
"Going into my junior year of cross country, I tore my meniscus at practice, and I was out for 2-3 months."
The hardest part of rehab was the physical impact.
"I lost pretty much every muscle in my left knee, and they (the doctors) had to go through and take out a lot,” she said. “The second injury it was more mentally. Why was this happening to me again?"
One of her toughest events came in her freshman year.
"I was placed the cross country #1 freshman to win state, and it put more pressure on me, and I was running against two older girls who were going to Duke and N.C.
State and I was just a little freshman,” she said. “But it's also one of my favorite memories when I crossed that line as #1 it showed me, I can really do this."
She said making the transition from middle school track since she had two brothers at the school and her parents working there. Her Dad, Neil, is the athletic director and her Mom, Sonya is the principal.
"They mean a lot to me, going through my injuries and everything. I really don't think I could have signed those papers today without them by my side,” Arizona said.
It was the chance to get away and explore that drew her to UCA. Ironically, its small-town charm reminded her of home.
"When I visited, I felt like I was at home, the town of Conway (Arkansas) reminds me of Bryson City, and the coach reminded me of Coach Payne, and that's what really sealed the deal for me."
Swain Cross Country Coach Keith Payne passed away in August.
Surrounded by friends, family and teammates at the signing Friday, Blankenship said it was a powerful moment.
“When I was in middle school, this was my dream going Division I, and just thinking that was a really big reach, and then coming here today and signing those papers with everyone who has loved and supported me really means a lot,” she said.
She plans to run cross country at UCA and specialize in long distance for track and possibly run some relays.
With her college plans sealed, there’s no slowing down. Blankenship runs an average of about 45 miles a week for cross country and 35-40 miles during track season. Asked whether her Dad could keep up with her during training runs, she replied with a smile, "He goes on a bike but he keeps up when I need him to."
She’s going to keep pushing for more championships before her high school career is over.
"I told my Dad I was gonna have more rings than him by senior year. My goal honestly was to get 10, and I just kept seeing the progression,” she said. “What can I get to now? Now, the goal is 30."
There has been fun along the way.
"Practice is always going to be one of my favorite things with this team. We talk about everything, and you don't get to do that with a lot of other sports, and you really just become closer with your teammates,” she said.
With her stellar prep career winding down, Arizona is still working hard to win.
"I want our team to succeed,” she said. “Indoor track is gonna be really hard for us as it will 1A/2A, and that means a lot of competition coming in and it's always hard for a 1A school to win Indoor track. All our girls are running for Coach Payne right now." There is no doubt here that Coach Payne is looking down with love and pride for Arizona and the Swain High program.