As each race has come and gone, something has grown inside Timberlake High junior Taylor Hammond that coach Shawn Lawler knows she’ll need to be successful at next Saturday’s state 3A cross country meet at Farragut State Park.

Confidence.

HAMMOND WON the district title in 20 minutes, 5.1 seconds on Thursday at the site of the state meet.

“She’s really had a great season,” Lawler said. “She basically ran solo today (Thursday), so it was a good, solid run for her.”

Hammond has finished in the top five in all of her races this year, also winning at the Thompson Falls Invitational on Oct. 1 and the small-school race at the Super One Invitational at Hayden Canyon on Sept. 19.

“She’s having a great season and her confidence is really building,” Lawler said. “She’s in a great place fitness-wise right now, and her confidence has continued to grow throughout the season. She had a big confidence booster with a strong showing in a time trial last week, and she’s really having a good finish to the season.”

Hammond, who finished 13th at the state meet last year, plans to pursue athletic training in college.

“I don’t really know why I that interests me,” Hammond said. “I’ve been to a physical therapist a few times, and I kind of like the study of what they do. When I was in seventh grade, I tore one of my (right) knee tendons. I just really like that and the study of anatomy.”

If physical therapy doesn’t work out, she’d also be interested in studying human kinetics, or Kinesiology.

As for why she’s enjoyed so much success this year, it’s simple. Hard work and dedication.

“I just went running every other day during the summer,” Hammond said. “Our coach has some good workouts and you’ve got to go out and do your best and be responsible. Basically, don’t go out and do any stupid stuff and get in trouble.”

TIMBERLAKE IS ranked second in the state according to the website idahoxc.com. Shelley is the top-ranked team among 3A girls.

“Shelley’s doing really well right now,” Hammond said. “But I think we can finish at least second and bring home a trophy.”

One thing that could play into the favor of Timberlake, which claimed three straight state titles from 2009 for 2011. Shelley won last year’s title at Eagle Island State Park, with Timberlake finishing second. Farragut is just 10 miles from Timberlake High.

“We’re super excited,” Hammond said. “I think everyone’s ready to go. It’s exciting to have it here. I don’t think people are going to be as nervous as they’ve been in the past because we get to stay here. It’s not going to be a nine-hour bus ride. It’s kind of familiar.”

Of Timberlake’s top seven runners, only one (Jamey Weishaar) is a senior.

“I really like this group,” Hammond said. “It’s like we’re a big family. All of my best friends are on the team. Every time we go out and compete, we’ve got a ton of brothers and sisters and we’re always running for each other.”

Another showing like that of Thursday’s effort at Farragut, and the Tigers could be clearing off some more room in the trophy case.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JEPressSports.