Purcell's Haylee Swayze driven by competition

The first time he watched Haylee Swayze run in practice, Purcell coach Greg Dillard said he thought he had a good athlete on his hands.

The first time he watched Swayze compete against other teams, he knew he was watching someone special.

"It's just the way she kicks it into another gear," Dillard said. "She just loves to compete."

Swayze cleaned up at the Class 3A state meet this year.

The Purcell senior claimed gold in three events, the 200-meter and 400-meter races, the 1,600-meter relay and she also finished second in the 800-meter relay.

For her season, Swayze has been named The Oklahoman's Little All-City Girls Track Athlete of the Year.

An all-state performer in cross country, softball, basketball and now track, Swayze said she's not sure where her competitiveness comes from but she believes it helps drive her.

"I don't talk much or try and showboat," Swayze said. "But when I'm around other competition I can really feel a difference. It definitely makes me go harder."

Dillard said he's always been amazed to see to Swayze's demeanor change closer to race time.

"She's the most humble, team oriented type kid that you could ever imagine," Dillard said. "But once that pistol goes off she's a beast. She wants to show the competition that she's the best."

While competing in four events might seem like a lot, Dillard and Swayze decided to keep her out of a few other events this year including the hurdles, an event she won gold in as a junior.

The decision was to help prevent any injuries, as Swayze is set to attend Rice next year to play basketball.

"I still think she would have won in that event too," Dillard said. "Honestly, I think if we asked her to do long jump or high jump she could win those too.

"That's just how amazing of an athlete she is."

Swayze says she is hesitant to take the top athlete billing in the Swayze household. Her older brother Cole was a standout in football, basketball and track.

But then, her competitive side comes out again.

"It is fun to mess with him," Swayze said of her older brother. "All I know is I have a few more school records than he does."