Fountain Hills High School senior Kelsey Schultz is flying high this season, capping off a four-year run of top finishes and breaking school records.

Her most recent achievement was competing in her first heptathlon, a multi-event competition hosted out of Aradia, Calif. in early April.

According to her track coach, Todd Brecto, it’s a pretty prestigious honor.

“She just competed in one of the most prestigious high school track meets in the country,” Brecto explained. “The only way to get to this meet is to have been invited based on your performances.”

In fact, Schultz was one of only 24 athletes from across the country to be invited to the heptathlon, a two-day event running from April 6-7.

At the heptathlon, Schultz competed in seven events, but still managed to squeeze in prom. She managed that juggling act by actually bowing out of one of her top events, the 300m hurdles.

Schultz’s top performance at the big event was actually one she doesn’t typically compete in, taking seventh place in the 800m run. Other events included the 200m dash, the 100m hurdles, shot put, javelin, high jump and long jump. A points-based event, Schultz scored an impressive 3,767 overall. According to Brecto, she’ll be competing in another heptathlon on april 28, the week before the track state competition. Next time around, he fully expects her to clear the 4,000 mark.

“Kelsey has worked so hard since last year, where she was the gold medal winner at the state meet in the 300m hurdles, second in the 100m hurdles and part of the second place 4x400 team,” Brecto added. “[She was] also part of the 2016 championship team. She is a hurdler, but so much more because she has worked so hard at becoming a true track athlete.”

Schultz said she started participating track during middle school, though it was a less competitive, before-school activity.

“I saw that the middle school was having a morning track program and figured I’d try it, because I’ve always been into sports,” she said. “Then my freshman year, I did cross country, so I thought I might as well do track, too.”

Schultz said that she ran her freshman year to help keep her in shape for basketball.

“Then I ended up liking running more,” she added.

Schultz actually discovered hurdles by accident, in a way. She said she jumped over one jokingly, to prove she wouldn’t be good at it. The coaches spotted her and realized she had good form for the event, so hurdles suddenly became her focus.

“When I got to high school I figured I’d keep doing hurdles and I fell in love with the event,” Schultz continued. “It’s a really different event. Instead of just running around the track or in a straight line, there’s literally an obstacle in the way.

“So you’re always focused on improving your technique, not just finding your pace.”

Schultz’s primary events include the 300m hurdles, the 100m hurdles, but she also competes and excels in various other events. She’s actually qualified for state in about half a dozen events, but an athlete is restricted to only competing in four. Between now and the big meet, she and her coaches will be determining where she can best serve the team at the final meet of the season. Before that, though, she’s got that second heptathlon to compete in.

“I thought I did well in the first heptathlon, but I’m excited to fine-tune everything for this next one,” she said. “It’s kind of crazy, but fun. The javelin we actually got like two days before I competed in California, because we don’t have that event here. So I’ve had more time to work on everything for this next one.”

Schultz’s high school career, in general, has been impressive. She broke the school record in the 300m hurdles last season, which had stood for 19 years. She broke it again this year with a time of 45:07.

“I’m also part of the 4x400 team, and we break that school record every year,” Schultz added.

While Schultz has participated in other high school sports, she decided to focus on track this season, training uninterrupted since last fall.

“We’re hoping to get a repeat state title in track this year,” she added. “I think we can do it. Everybody is peaking right now, which is great.”

When she’s not running, Schultz takes part in various on-campus organizations. She’s a member of the National Honor Society, president of Falcon Leadership and the senior class secretary/treasurer for STUGO.

“I volunteer at my church and then I babysit a lot,” she added. “I also like to hang out with my friends…I’m trying to make the most of my senior year.

“I feel like I’ve done a lot in high school and achieved more than I ever thought I could have. I pushed myself a lot more than I thought I would, so I’m proud of that.”

Schultz is undecided on where she’s going right now, but she hopes to keep running for a college team after graduation in May.