SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Lilly Enes has always been fast. But she was chasing a soccer ball instead of a time. After one season on the track, she has had a lot of success and will cap her initial season at the CIF State Championships this weekend in Clovis, Calif.

“It means a lot to me,” said Enes of her track success. “I did not think I was going to come this far. I was trying it out and wanted to do something new after soccer. It is all a lot to me.”

Enes, who is one of seven Troubadours competing this weekend, started the season running over 62 seconds for the 400 meters. She gradually improved, winning three 400 dual meet races and then placed third at the Meet of Champions in 57.22.

Enes won the Delta River League title in a season-best 56.98 and claimed the Sac-Joaquin Section finals in another season-best with a time of 56.25 one week later. She edged her opponent at the line with a late surge.

“I am very proud of my progress,” said Enes, who improved her 400m time five times during the season. “At the beginning of the year my 400 time was above a minute (62 seconds) and I was able to drop it six seconds throughout the year.”

Enes took another major step last weekend, qualifying for the state championships in her signature event. After finishing second in her heat in the prelims, she crossed second in the finals to earn a slot among the top three and punch her ticket to state. Enes’ momentum brought her to the ground at the finish, another indication of her dedication.

“She doesn’t like to lose and is determined,” said Assistant Coach Randall Fairchild. “When she goes to the track, you know you are going to get her best performance out of her every time she goes to the starting blocks.”

Fairchild credits her strong sports background in helping shape her work ethic and personality that have transferred to the track so easily this season.

“Lilly has come from a background of discipline in terms of sports all her life and she has carried that discipline and maturity into track and field as a rookie first year runner,” aid Fairchild. “She is a great listener. She does not do a lot of talking. She is very quiet and unassuming. You would never realize she has a little fire in her.”

The fire has helped her become one of the top 400 meter runners in the state, while being a major factor in the two St. Francis relays that have qualified. She runs the third leg on both the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays. The Troubadours enter the meet ranked 14th in the 4×100 and third in the 4×400 relays.

“It means I am going to have work really hard in all my races,” said Enes about her schedule at the meet. “For trials I did not have to run all out for sections or Masters. I am going to have to run my fastest for state. If I do make it to state finals, I will have to run as fast as I can.”

While still learning to run the difficult 400 meters, Fairchild says she always gives her best.

“She executes her race,” said Fairchild. “She might not always have a plan because she is still learning how to run the 400 meters. But she is doing her best and what she does not have down she is making up for in shear guts and determination.”