Auburn Riverside senior jumper and sprinter Brittni Williams is used to being at the top of the Washington State rankings in the long jump and triple jump.

In the long jump, where she has competed in the state meet ever since her freshman year, she has placed sixth, eighth and eleventh in her three trips to the state meet.

In the triple jump, where she has competed at the state championships ever since her sophomore year, she finished second at state last season with a 37 foot, 3 3/4 inch leap, and fourth in 2013.

As for the 100-meter dash, now that’s a different story.

Although she’s competed in the event ever since her freshman year, she’s never punched her ticket to state in the event.

This could be the year, however, when the sprinter in Williams finally comes into her own.

On March 26, at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood against Lakes High School, Williams ran a Washington State 3A best, 12.34 second time in the event.

It was the first time this season Williams competed in the event.

“That surprised me a lot,” Williams said. “At first when I finished, I didn’t think I ran that fast. But it was good weather, and I do run better in good, warm or hot weather.”

Already on track to qualify for state in the long jump – with a state-3A-best 18-2 1/2 – and the triple – with a state-3A-fifth-best 36-2 – Williams is on track to compete in the 100, too.

“I was just going to focus on the jump for postseason,” Williams said. “I may have to work on the 100 now.”

Given Williams’ work ethic, said Raven girls track coach Christie Rogers, her performance in the 100 wasn’t a surprise.

“It was a really good run for her,” Rogers said. “She’s such a hard worker we sometimes have to slow her down. Even though she’s battling some injuries [hip and shin splints], she’s still out there everyday, working hard. She’s out here everyday, sometimes longer than the other athletes. She leads warm ups and is in the first group running through.”

Williams, who hopes to compete next year at Sacramento State, said knowing it is her last year of prep competition provides impetus to make it special.

“It makes me want to work hard because I know time is running out,” Williams said. “I really want to do the best that I can do, get better marks, better times and just work hard.”

Injuries be damned.

“I just push through, I can’t really let it affect me,” Williams said. “I have work to do.

Among the tasks on her list this season — helping to set the tone for the future of the Auburn Riverside girls track program.

“She is quite the leader out there; she’s been our team captain for two years now,” Rogers said. “She works with the young kids and tries to motivate them and help them out.”

A leader by example, Williams said she hopes to inspire others to work as hard as she does.

“I think if you demonstrate, people will follow,” Williams said. “If you set a good example, they will follow it. I’m not real vocal.”

Despite the fact that Williams’ prep career comes to an end next month, the 17-year-old intends to compete in club and USA Track and Field competitions this summer, just as she has done since elementary school.

“I used to compete with the Flying AJ’s, but I ran unattached in this past winter’s indoor season,” she said. “I think I’m going to run unattached this season.”

Williams said the luxury of her parents’ guidance — both are athletes — allows her to run unattached.

“They’ve made a lot of sacrifices for me,” she said.

Now, all that’s left for Williams and her prep career are a handful of South Puget Sound League 3A meets and, hopefully, a trip to the postseason.

“I need to work more on technique and practice a lot more,” Williams said. “And be consistent.”

ALSO: Although the Ravens are far removed from the 2012’s state girls 4A runner-up squad, the cupboard is not bare, Rogers said. Aside from Williams, the team looks to senior thrower Jessica Packer to build momentum going into the postseason.

“She’s coming along right now and has been posting PR’s like crazy,” Rogers said.

This season she’s posted a personal record 31-3½ in the shot put, and a 91-6 in the javelin.

Also showing improvement for Auburn Riverside are seniors Lexi Chinn – 28.16 PR in the 200, and a 13.34 in the 100 – and freshman Aulane Mpouli – 13.14 in the 100 and 28.03 in the 200. Both girls compete in the 400 relay with Williams and sophomore Savanna Ashby or freshman Blessing Jarbah.

Rogers also pointed out sophomore pole vaulter Luba Migdal, who has a personal best 8-6 vault this season.

The SPSL 3A/Seamount 3A league meet is May 15-16 at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

The West Central District III/Southwest District 4 3A meet is May 22-23 at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

The prep season wraps up May 28-30 at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma.

Auburn Mountainview

For the Lion girls, senior Tiffany Pott leads the way with her 5-2 high jump, third best in the West Central District 3A ranks and tied for sixth in the state 3A.

Also looking to move on to the postseason is sophomore hurdler Molly House, who has the seventh fastest 300 hurdles time in the state 3A ranks with a 47.09. Her 100 hurdles time of 16.62 is fifth best in the West Central District 3A.

The Auburn Mountainview 800 relay team is continuing the Lion girls’ relay winning tradition with the seventh fastest time in the state 3A with a 1:48.59.

Auburn Mountainview senior Heaven Palaita is in the top 10 in the shot put and the discus, with a 10th-place 36-11 and a seventh-place 113-9, respectively.

Auburn

Freshman Rebecca Thereek has made the most of her first year of high school competition for Auburn with the third fastest 300 hurdle time in state at 46.37. Thereek also ranks top 10 in the high jump with her 5-2, which is tied for sixth-place.