Abby Kauffman’s feet continue to glide along the track and launch her body through the air.

Although the prep track and field season ended about a month ago, Kauffman has kept maximum focus along her running and jumping journey, with her sights already set on notching a stellar senior campaign.

“Staying active and working to better myself, too. It’s been good for me,” said the Inglemoor athlete, whose top events are the 100-meter run, long jump and 4×100-meter relay.

Kauffman earned 4A KingCo championship victories this season in the 100 with a personal record of 12.57 and in the long jump with a 16-11. She took first in the 100 at districts in 12.99 and finished 10th at state in 13.04. The Viks’ 4×100 relay of Emily Reid, Erica Swift, Abby Monson and Kauffman took second at districts in 50.09 and unleashed a PR of 50.03 to take 13th at state.

This summer, she’s training with Seattle Prep coach Deino Scott along with Tami Baddeley and Kaisa Hall, who just finished their Inglemoor coaching careers at state. There’s twice-a-week workouts at Inglemoor and at Shoreline All-Comers meets.

Mix in some select fastpitch softball with the Redhawks 18U squad, and shortstop Kauffman is set for the summer.

She was a standout athlete in softball, volleyball and basketball at Inglemoor, but she’s now solely focused on track and field. She enjoys the individual and team balance of the sport and would like to advance that experience into the college realm. She’s watched her brother and recent Inglemoor graduate Sean thrive on the baseball field for the Vikings and turn his focus and drive to play college ball into a spot on the Pacific Lutheran University squad.

Jumps coach Baddeley pointed Kauffman toward Scott, who provided invaluable help with the Viking sprinter’s form in the 100 and she gained confidence along the way and improved her times.

Scott told Kauffman to take a deep breath in set position before the race that would produce her 100 PR.

“That race felt different, I could hear myself release that breath, I could feel that it was gonna be a different race that time. It was a really nice day, too, good weather really helps with your muscles,” Kauffman said.

“It’s definitely some adrenaline. And it’s really cool because my teammates are super supportive, too,” she added about her 100 success. She also enjoys getting to know her opponents and appreciate their successes as well.

As for the long jump, Kauffman nailed a PR of 17-3.25 her sophomore year and she’d like to qualify for the state meet for the first time next spring. It all starts with those summer workouts and keeping a positive mindset the whole way.

The Reporter asked Kauffman a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life:

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Sometimes with everything going on, it’s a good reminder to trust myself in the moment and that things will fall into place.

What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?

Snappy Dragon.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

The sound of Styrofoam on Styrofoam. It’s a weird thing, but I don’t like that sound.

Maybe you’ll have someone else open the packages when you get them at home or whatever.

What special skill would you like to learn?

My dad’s a really good cook and hopefully that can be something that I can learn to get good at so I can use that in my future, too.

Speaking of cooking, if you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Emma Watson. Besides from her acting career, she knows her values and she’s influenced other people. I have a lot of respect for that. I think that’s pretty cool.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

“Now You See Me,” there’s action, there’s mystery, that’s a good one.

What superpower would you like to have?

The ability to fly (laughs). That can be very useful.

What you kind of do with the long jump. Maybe you can start the long jump, get in the air and just go off from there. Where’d she go? (laughter)

Abby Kauffman blazes through the 100 at the 4A KingCo meet this season. She placed first with a personal record of 12.57. Photo courtesy of Kim Kauffman