Eastlake Wolves senior track athlete Audrey Knutsen believes bursting out of the starting blocks as quickly as possible is the key to the success of any sprinter.

Knutsen, who competes in the 100-meter dash, 200M, 400M relay and 800M relay, said the first 10-20 meters of every race she partakes in is where she thrives. The 5 foot, 4-inch, Knusten said she is shorter than most sprinters she competes against which requires her to have a fast start in order to keep up with the best sprinters in Washington.

“A lot of girls catch up to me toward the end of my races because they are taller and have longer strides,” Knutsen said. “My goal to combat that is to always get stronger and just work on my technique coming out of the blocks. That is my strength.”

Last year Knutsen was part of a 400M relay team that advanced to the Class 4A state track meet at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. This year she not only wants to compete in the relays at the state meet again but also as an individual for the first time in her high school career.

“My goal for sure this year is to make it to state again in relays and I want to make it in the opens (100M and 200M). I haven’t been able to drastically improve my personal records in the 100 and 200. It would be awesome to do that.”

Knutsen said her best time in the 100M is 12.7 and her top time in the 200M is 26.5.

“Track is an amazing sport. You meet amazing people,” she said.

Recently the Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter had an opportunity to ask Knutsen a few questions about her life away from the world of track and field.

Issaquah Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?

Audrey Knutsen: Big Hero 6. It’s such cute movie. It has a great plot and its different from a lot of other movies.

IR: What is your favorite television show?

AK: I like “Modern Family”. It is a quality show that always seems to make me laugh.

IR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?

AK: Usain Bolt (gold medalist sprinter) or a really famous sprinter so they could tell me about all of their secrets that make them so good.

IR: How many text messages do you send per day?

AK: Not too many, I probably send around 50 per day.

IR: What is your dream vacation spot?

AK: Fiji. No one ever goes there and it seems like a gorgeous place to go.

IR: Who was your idol growing up?

AK: Britney Spears. I used to love her music.

IR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

AK: I really enjoy art. I like to paint.