Darrah Wiseman - Tellico Plains
For Darrah Wiseman the future looks bright. Only a sophomore from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, Darrah has high expectations for the spring track season and beyond. " I am trying to triple in the 800 meters, 1600 meters, and 3200 meters this year at the state meet" Darrah says. "Last year, my coaches and I were more conservative, but this year I feel in much better shape and think I can compete well."
Darrah won the Division I Class A State Championship 800m crossing the finish in 2:22 which was a 6 second PR.
Darrah comes into the spring with personal bests of 2:22.0, 5:53 and 12:27 in each distance. A former basketball player, Darrah switched to running full time freshman year of high school and hasn't looked back. The middle distances are her speciality. "Track is more exciting and fits my strengths, Darrah admits. "Speed days and ladders are my favorite workouts, anything interval based really. Whatever makes it hurt."
Darrah was shocked at her success last spring. "I was dealing with an ankle injury from basketball, so I didn't start training hard until later in the 2022 season. I didn't get into good times really until the state meet."
Darrah credits her coaches and their special relationship with her success. "They listen to me, we have a good rapport. They do their best for me."
Darrah is very individually driven. "I have goals that I want to achieve. On a hard day, my goals get me out on the road." Though personally driven, Darrah credits her community with supporting her as well. "My school supports me, especially my teachers and students." With college still far away, Darrah has a long time to figure out her collegiate goals. However, her age doesn't stop her from dreaming. "I'd like to run at the highest level I can. Running for the University of Tennessee would be really cool."
So far this year, Darrah is on pace to achieve her goals. At the KYA HS Indoor Classic on January 7th, Darrah set personal best times of 1:02.20 in the 400 meters, 2:22.03 in the 800 meters, and 5:23.26 in the one mile run. After a solid cross country season last fall coupled with a strong start to indoor, Darrah Wiseman looks to remain the distance favorite for Single A girls track and field.
