The future is bright at Bayfield High School, as numerous athletes shined throughout the 2015-16 school year.
One freshman girl stood out among the masses, as she not only competed at a high level in three sports but broke a 26-year old record, too. With her strong effort, Bayfield’s Tymbree Florian was selected as The Durango Herald’s Female Freshman Athlete of the Year.
“It’s an honor to me, my hard work is finally paying off,” said Florian, daughter of Ryan and Stephanie Florian.
Florian started the year on the Bayfield volleyball team that went 6-2 in 3A Intermountain League before transitioning into basketball season where she was second on the team with 6.8 points per game. She also led the young team with 2.6 steals per game to establish herself on the varsity roster.
Where Florian leaped into the limelight was during track and field season. She showed her truest talent of all when she jumped 17 feet, 5.75 inches for a new BHS long jump record at the Pueblo Twilight Invitational.
“The future is unlimited for her,” Bayfield head coach Gary Heide said. “She has great athletic talent and a great drive. She’s there to be the best she can be. Some of these athletes, and Tymbree is one of them, they want to accomplish something. She really worked hard this year.”
For weeks leading up to her record-breaking jump, Florian felt like she was regressing. Frustrated, she worked on a new technique for her breathing and run up. That did the trick.
“My first jump went 15-6, and that got me thinking that I’ll finally get the record,” Florian said. “My second jump was 16-9, and I was speechless. It was the most exciting moment of the year. Then I got 17-5, and I just couldn’t believe it. I thought the measurement was wrong. It was a huge moment.”
Florian ended the year on the podium at the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 3A State Track and Field Championships in the long jump when she took fifth. She also competed on the 4x100-meter relay team that placed eighth.
Next season, Florian plans to capitalize on her freshman year and might even try to become the next great Bayfield pole vaulter.
“I want to be more of a leader and make everybody better,” she said. “I just expect to be the best I can. I take sports more seriously than I should.”
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
