Continued dominance of Herriman sprinter Kaysha Love

By Caitlin Gomez

Photos by Kurt Johnson

Kaysha Love is a former Level 10 gymnast, but she decided to change things up in her life and switch to track and field her freshman year of high school, a wise choice as it turns out.

The second she stepped onto the track, she made an impact that would forever change her. She was one of the state’s fastest runners right from the outset and that has continued right on through this, her junior season.

Kaysha Love of Herriman holds the Class 4A state record in the 200-meter sprint. (Photo by Kurt Johnson)

During her first-ever high school meet in 2013, Love ran the 100 meters in a time of 12.01, just .16 short of the state record set by a Aubrie Hale of Brighton in 2010. That same year, Love broke the 4A state record in the 200-meter sprint with an incredible time of 24.68 on qualifying day at the state meet. The next day, she ran an amazing 24.13 to nip three-time defending state champion Lauren Baxter from Timpview by .04 for the title. That time would have been a state record but for the wind rating being above the allowable limit.

“Kaysha has accomplished so much really fast and at a young age,” said her mom, Stephanie. “Her first race out she knew she had found what she was supposed to be doing and wants to do. She found her love and passion.”

After a noteworthy first season, Love has gone nowhere but up. She beat the incredibly talented Baxter in the 100 final in 2013 as well and then Herriman was moved to 5A the following season, putting her in line for a whole new set of records.

When Stephanie was asked her thoughts on the reason behind Kaysha’s success, she said it’s her drive, competitive edge and crave for perfection.

“At times I wish she wasn’t such a perfectionist because sometimes she puts too much pressure on herself,” Stephanie said. “But then I have to remind myself that the desire for perfection and drive to work hard are why she is so successful.”

Her sophomore year came around and Love continued to prove how strong of a competitor she was. During the indoor season at the UHSTCA Coach’s Invitational she came first in the 200 meter with a time of 24.96 and in the 60 meter with a time of 7.69.

She was just as successful during the outdoor season when Love took first place in the 100 and 200 meter races at all of the meets, including the 5A state championships. Now, as she is finishing her junior year, she has the best time in the state once again in both the 100 and 200. She feels she has grown as an athlete over the past three years.

“Freshman year, I didn’t really know what I was doing,” Kaysha said. “Track was such a foreign language, I never truly understood the sport, until this year. I’ve made tons of improvements with my races, my mindset and preparing myself for track meets. I’ve also learned to sacrifice many things in my life just so I could see more improvements on and off the track in my future.”

Herriman sprinter Kaysha Love exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2013, winning 4A state titles in the 100 and 200. (Photo by Kurt Johnson)

Notable performances by Love this year include first place in the 200 meter with a time of 24.33 at the Davis Invitational and a first-place finish in the 100 meter with a time of 11.84 at the Herriman Twilight.

The junior was invited to the Arcadia Invitational, one of the most prestigious and competitive track meets in the country. There, she took seventh place in the 100 meter with a time of 11.91 and seventh place in the 200 meter with a time of 25.11.

As far as the future goes for Love, she wants to continue her track career as long as she can.

“I plan to run track in college,” Kaysha said. “I’m not exactly sure which school I’ll be attending yet. I want to continue running because track and field has become apart of me. I couldn’t see my college years without it. I love learning new things about track. Continuing to run will give me the opportunity to learn more about my favorite sport every day.”

Herriman High senior Caitlin Gomez wrote this story as part of the Preps Utah/Nu Skin student journalism program.