Her muscles relaxed as she tucks in her lucky socks. Setting her feet in the blocks as the agonizing wait for the sound of the gunshot grows. Runners on your mark… set… *pow and off to the finish line she runs. Lauren Hansen, or Lori as most might know her, is a track star on Orono High School’s track and field team.
Running is a history that has continued through Lauren’s family. Her mom ran track and field in high school, and her dad ran cross country in high school so lauren and her younger sister Alex were destined to become track stars. According to Gina Hansen, track has always been a favorite sport in the family to watch and follow.
“Lauren has the unique combination of very long legs and good foot speed,” Coach Nathaniel Porter said.
Lauren began track in sixth grade; she continues to run track and field year after year due to the fun memories made with coaches and teammates. Lauren is currently running her way into her sixth year of track as a junior holding five school titles, the triple jump made in 2016 with 35’6, the 200m open made in 2017 in 25.27 seconds, the 4×400 relay made in 2016 with 4:00:56 minutes, the 4×100 relay made in 2017 with 49.23 seconds, and the 4x200m relay made in 2016 with 1:46:38 minutes.
“It is always fun to do something where you have success and Lauren has been fortunate to have success in this sport along with her friends and cousin, Lily Mckown,” mother Gina Hansen said.
Someone special to Lauren that she has always looked up to is, Lily Mckown, an alumni from Orono and the track and field team that also holds three school records. According to Lauren, Lily has always been someone she looks up to as an inspiration to keep doing what she loves.
“I got to run the 4×400 with (Mckown) and she would hand the baton off to me. Her energy always rubbed off in a positive way to me, making me excited to accomplish a win and title with her,” Lauren said.
Lauren is currently practicing track and field five times a week with her team. A typical practice according to Lauren is, most importantly, putting on sweatpants because if not according to Lauren, coach Porter will be furious. Practice continues with a lengthy warm up followed by the planned workout. Her favorite part of practice is getting to spend time with her mini superfan, Addie Porter. Addie is coach porters smiley, loving, kindergarten daughter.
“You can always see Lauren’s hard work paying off in practice as she has swept away so many titles. I have been in a relay with Lauren for two years now and our hard work has finally payed off too,” teammate Kayla Gehring said.
According to coach Porter, a pre-meet day for the athletes is a little more laid back. The practice incorporates a good warm up, and short work out, such as four 150m. This followed by a practice of starts and handoffs/exchange if athletes such as Hansen are in any relays.
“Pre-meet days are the best because of the carbo loads and playing with little Addie,” said Hansen.
The Hamline elite meet is an exclusive meet held April 28, where athletes must qualify for a spot to compete. With Lauren’s speedy times, her open 200m race along with her 4×100 relay team made it into the race. These two events have yet to keep impressing the coaches as these girls have broken the school record twice this year. Lauren’s ability to impress everyone has grown immensely as she continues to work hard, run hard, and receive #1. Lauren’s mom shared a moment from the Lakeville meet, held April 22, that expressed how proud she is of Lauren.
“Lauren’s hip was killing her and her stomach was very upset. Fighting through the pain, Lauren still managed to break the school record and win the race. It was the mental toughness that I was super proud of,” Gina Hansen said.
According to Lauren, her biggest accomplishment was with her relay team from 2016: the 4x200m relay. Her team consisted of Carly Goehring as the starter, Emma Sternberg, Lily Mckown, and Lauren Hansen as the anchor. Through the blood, sweat, and tears Lauren and her team were able to break the record.
Lauren’s mom and coaches express faith that Lauren could make the school record in the open 400m by the end of her senior year. According to Gina Hansen, lauren was built for this race due to her unique ability.
“When she gets on the track she wants to win every single race,” coach Porter said.
Lauren’s coach, Porter, plans on having Hansen become more competitive with this race by the end of this track and field season in order to become yet another champion to Orono schools next year.
The triple jump school record was made by Lauren sophomore year at the conference meet. Her stride, equivalent to a gazelle, helps her dream plans beyond high school to go to UNC and compete the triple jump in track and field. Lauren made the triple jump school record sophomore year.
As athletic as she is, Lauren is a young woman full of life that enjoys being involved in other activities and spending time with friends.
“I can’t wait to see what comes in her future,” Gehring said.
