Junior Lauren Mobyed has a smile that lights up the hallways at Mineola High School and why shouldn't Mobyed be smiling. Her outstanding performance in track ended with two school records and a trip to the state championships.

For Mobyed, it has certainly been an exciting year. The Mineola resident set a school record in the 3.1-mile cross country event at the county championships at Bethpage State Park with a time of 21:01, which earned her a trip to the state championships.

In Queensbury, NY, Mobyed broke her own school record with a time of 20:30. "It was really nice. The course was awesome," she said.

What is most interesting about Mobyed is that this is the first year she has run cross country. "I really wanted to try something new. I loved being outdoors and I loved the setting of the woods. Everything just seemed to work for me," Mobyed said. "I had a knack for it I didn't know I had."

Her success in cross country cannot be chalked up to beginner's luck. Mobyed is an accomplished athlete at Mineola High School. Her favorite sport is lacrosse as she plays on the girls varsity lacrosse team.

Mobyed has found another sport she enjoys and plans to continue in her senior season. She credits her coach Kristin Frazer for much of her success in cross country. "She just knows how to work me and make me my best," Mobyed said of her coach.

Mobyed is a shining example of the emergence of the track and field program. "I think it's made our athletic program 10 times better. It's probably the best shape you can get in," she said.

-Joe Rizza