For Clarkston junior Autumn Touchstone, being an All-State hurdler is a family affair. Her mother Kimberly completed the feat in high school and like her mother, Autumn is in the record books.
Touchstone (15.31) took sixth place in the 100-meter hurdles Saturday at East Kentwood in the state finals after taking 16th place in 2006. As a freshman in 2005, Touchstone also made the state cut.
Touchstone adds the honor to her regional championship in the same event. She was also Oakland Activities Association champion in the 300-meter hurdles.
Touchstone qualified for the state meet in three other events: 300-meter hurdles, long jump and as member of the Wolves? 400-meter relay team.
This season was Touchstone’s third at the state’s grand stage, a fact she hoped would calm her nerves going in.
Clarkston finished 3-2 in meet competition this season, and second overall in OAA division I. The Wolves also put together a regional track championship at the event, which it hosted three weeks ago.
Consistently racing against some of Oakland County’s premiere talent is an excellent preparation for the state meet.
‘There’s no surprises, I know what to expect for states and weekly we’re going against tough competition in every event,? Touchstone said.
‘We know what they’re bringing to (their) team.?
A hurdler since middle school, Touchstone took up track because of her mother’s past in the sport.
‘She helps me because she used to coach track and she knows form and what I need to fix and with her help and (coach John) Yorke’s help, it really helps me out,? Touchstone said.
Touchstone has been running in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles in addition to the long jump. Her flexibility is a boon for Yorke because he’s been able to shuffle her around for a fourth event.
‘She’s the most versatile athlete we have,? Yorke said.
‘It helps the team and it helps her for her own training to be able to run different events.?
Touchstone’s maturation into this season has continued to set her apart, Yorke said.
‘Her dedication for all these years has been the biggest thing. She matured this year and realized she is a multi-event athlete and not just a hurdler.?
Yorke remained confident in Touchstone’s ability to place in one of her events at the state meet. The 300-meter hurdles are her strong suit, he said.
‘She’s put the time in to become conditioned for that race. You need to have more endurance for the 300-meter hurdles than the 100,? Yorke said.
‘You’re running for 45 seconds and you really have to be in condition to sprint that whole distance and that’s where she’s put the time and effort into to get better this year.?
With another year remaining in her high school career, Touchstone is looking into running track in college at University of Michigan or Michigan State University. She hopes to pursue a degree in secondary-level education and her goal is to become an English teacher. In her free time, Autumn enjoys reading and she also likes creative writing and opinion pieces.