RIVERTON — It took a simple announcement for Riverton sprinter Aubrie Haymore to realize just how dramatically everything has changed for her this spring.

When Haymore was called to report to the blocks for the 100-meter dash in the Davis Invitational, the announcer took the opportunity to note she was the state record holder in that event. For Haymore, it still seemed a little bit surreal to hear her name associated with a state record.

Indeed, when she posted her record-setting time of 11.98 seconds at the Taylorsville Invitational a week earlier, it took until that evening for her to fully realize what she had accomplished.

"I wrote down a list of goals at New Year's and I wanted to run a 12.2 in my 100," Haymore said. "That was my goal. And so when I broke the state record, it just blew me away."

Setting a state record offers the most tangible proof of Haymore's dramatic rise from unknown to state-title contender in high school track.

After posting a series of wins at one invitational after another — including a first-place finish in the 100 at the BYU Invitational last weekend that saw her win the event in 12.03 seconds in pouring rain — Haymore has ascended to the top of the list as the state-title favorites in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

The seeds for creating that ascent were planted following her junior season when Haymore dedicated herself to putting in extra training through the summer, fall and winter to make her senior year a memorable one. Haymore did not see herself becoming the type of sprinter who dominated meet after meet. But she did think she could be competitive if she worked hard enough. In taking that approach, she quickly became a role model for her teammates.

"The kids respect her," Riverton coach Jake Garlick said. "They look up to her. She commands it by her actions and by her presence and her willingness to do anything that is asked of her."

Haymore has also earned a great deal of respect by how she dealt with adversity away from the track.

She was only 13 years old when her mother died unexpectedly after suffering a heart attack while competing in a half-marathon. It was a tough time for her entire family. Her father was suddenly left alone to raise three young girls. Because she was the oldest child, Haymore helped out in looking after and caring for her younger sisters.

One silver lining in the tragedy is that it brought the family closer together. Haymore sees her sisters being her best friends as much as they are sisters because of what they endured together. And her father is an inspiration to her as well.