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On days Charis Wingster was responsible for taking care of her brother and sister, she would return to Herriman High School long after her track teammates were gone.
She would head to the oval behind the school. She would run. And run.
"She does the whole practice herself," teammate Kady Tolley said, "because she knows what she wants."
Wingster won three 5A individual titles May 21 at the state track meet at Brigham Young University. The sprinter earned top honors in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. The star for the Mustangs, whose school is in its first year, Wingster quickly became the most decorated athlete in Herriman's brief history.
She didn't win its first state championship — that honor went to shot putter Siera Bernard — but Wingster won the most.
"I still haven't taken it in yet," Wingster said. "It's just new. I've been running up for it since I was a sophomore."
No championship is a foregone conclusion, but Wingster seemed a lock to win the 200 meters. She did not lose in the event all season. The other two were sweet reward for years of dedication.
Wingster, a senior, has offers to run at Southern Utah and Utah Valley University.
Wingster's mother died when the runner was 12. Her father, Karis, is a truck driver and usually gone for two or three days every week.
Before the outdoor track season, Wingster was responsible for taking care of her younger half-brother, Karis, and half-sister, Savannah, for at least one day a week.
Her personal responsibilities kept her from training as much as she wanted during the fall and winter. But in the outdoor season, she worked harder to catch up.
"We really primed her just for state," coach Jake Garlick said, "which is the way it should be."
Before starting with Herriman this season, Garlick was the head track coach at nearby Riverton for two seasons. When the new school opened, he joined the Mustangs, as did Wingster. Riverton remains one of 5A's premier programs, though it seems Herriman is catching up quickly.
In all three of Wingster's wins, she was matched against her former teammate and longtime friend, Riverton's Taylor Gomez. Gomez finished fourth in the 400 and 100, and third in the 200 meter.
At the top of the Herriman records, and at least in the front of the record book, will be Wingster's name.
"The records are pretty tough to beat, so I'm glad I helped set those for the school," she said.
Tolley said Wingster has already become revered.
Younger kids look up to her, she said.
"They all try to be just like Charis," Tolley said, "just as fast, and just as cool."
Charis' father's job had kept him away during track meets this season. He didn't attend a meet until last weekend. Karis was there at BYU, cheering on his daughter.
Wingster was just happy he was there for state.
"That's what all counts anyway," she said. "That's what you train for."
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Charis Wingster's state track trifecta
100 meters • 12.20 seconds, first place
200 meters • 24.89 seconds, first place
400 meters • 56.84 seconds, first place