Great Falls High track star Scarlet Harris is no stranger to the grind. As a junior, she's once again proving why she's one of Montana's most versatile athletes—and she's only getting stronger.

At last year's state meet in Kalispell, Harris barely had a moment to breathe. Competing in six individual events plus a relay, she faced one of the toughest schedules in the field. But this season, she's more prepared than ever to take on that challenge. "I learned so much last year," Harris said. "I've learned to manage my time better, focus, and keep a clear head going into each event. I'm excited for state."

Already named the Tribune's Girls' Athlete of the Spring for the past two years, Harris has qualified for state in six individual events: the 100- and 200-meter dashes, high jump, long jump, and both hurdle races. But it's in the hurdles where she truly shines. She ranks second in Class AA in the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.19, just behind Kalispell Flathead's Bristol Lenz (14.95), and sixth in the 300 hurdles at 46.40.

The season didn't start exactly as Harris hoped. She admitted to some frustration early on, feeling she was behind her times from last year. But Great Falls High head coach Dave Kilian and his staff reminded her to trust the process. "The goal is always to run your best times at the end of the season," Kilian said. And that patience is paying off.

Harris posted her top 100-meter time of 12.74 at the Golden Triangle Meet in late April, followed by a season-best 15.19 in the 100 hurdles during a dual with Helena High on May 9. She then shaved more than eight-tenths of a second off her previous best in the 300 hurdles, clocking 46.40 at the Crosstown Meet on May 12 to close out the regular season on a high note.

Kilian noted that transitioning from basketball season to track conditioning takes time, but Harris's marks are now peaking at just the right moment. As the state meet approaches, all eyes are on this determined junior to finish strong once again.