By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – When Thompson High School track coach Chris Schmidt took stock of the team’s school records in early May, he saw a familiar name pop up several times.

“It’s amazing how many school records you’re a part of,” Schmidt told THS track and field athlete Lauryn Dancy during a May 10 scholarship-signing ceremony. “It’s no surprise to any of us here that you would have the opportunity to choose a (higher education) school.

“You are a role model to kids in our program, you’re a role model to kids here at this school, and we know you will go very far in life,” Schmidt added. “This is why we coach, this is why we teach, to see kids have the opportunity to go to the next level.”

During the May 10 ceremony, Dancy signed an athletic scholarship with Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, putting a cap on her successful four years at Thompson.

“It’s a very special occasion for Lauren and her family. Lauren is such a fine example of just about anything you can imagine, from student to athlete to person to leader,” said THS Principal Dr. Wesley Hester. “She’s very talented, but at the same time, very humble and unselfish. We are very proud of you, this is very well-deserved. We wish you the best, and Mercer is certainly getting the very best that Alabaster has.”

Although Schmidt just wrapped up his first season at the helm of the THS track team, he said he has seen Dancy transform into one of the best athletes in the state.

“Obviously, it’s a great day to be a Warrior. Since I’ve been here, she’s had the opportunity to transform from a good athlete to one of the best athletes we have here in the state of Alabama,” Schmidt said. “I know that she has had great parenting. I know it takes a lot to get to this level, and I know that Mercer is lucky to have an opportunity to get a person like you to be a part of their program next year.”

Dancy attributed her success to her faith, and thanked her parents, coaches, friends and teammates for always pushing her to be her best.

“First I just want to thank God for my opportunity. I just want to thank my parents for always being there for me,” Dancy said. “There were a lot of times I wanted to give up and just be a regular student, but they were always pushing me to keep going. I want to thank my friends, because they’ve been like my siblings. I want to thank my coaches, because they always pushed me to be a leader.”