Kaylor Harris isn't taking any chances this time.
All the Mesquite Horn (Tx.) High senior needs for evidence is the memory of her last appearance at the Texas University Interscholastic League Track and Field Championships.
A year ago, Harris didn't lose a single race in the 100m before arriving at the UIL Championships in May.
She was confident, ready, almost assured a title in her best event.
And then it didn't happen. Second place.
Harris fell by four hundredths of a second to DeSoto's Kira White, who won in 11.63 seconds.
"It left a bad taste in my mouth," she said. "This year I know I can't relax too much. I've been hard on myself at practice so I can perform well at state and be prepared for anything."
Harris is putting it all on the line this time. The Texas Tech signee, who's also a potential contender in the 100m hurdles and 4x100 relay, has a goal of becoming the first athlete in school history to win three state titles.
"Really, I just have to run my races separately and I can't tie them together," she said. "If something bad happens, I have to stay together, let it go and prepare for the next race. I really have to have a different mindset for each."
Fortunately for Harris, she used last year's disappointment as newfound motivation. She followed a few weeks later by earning a national title in the 100m at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in a career best 11.34 seconds.
Harris will arrive at the UIL Championships on May 11-13 at the University of Texas as the top ranked sprinter in the 100m. Her 11.35 second time in the 100m, which she accomplished on April 29 at the Region 2-6A Meet, ranks US No. 2.
There's also a very strong case to be made that Harris could double in the 100m hurdles. She ran a state-best 13.44 seconds at the Texas Relays in March and has finished first in every race she's competed in since February.
Oddly enough, it's her first year competing in the hurdles.
"I know there's still room to grow," Harris said. "I think I would like to run at least 13-flat or 13.2. That's my goal. I feel I can accomplish that based on the work I've been doing with my hurdle coach."
Lastly, Harris and her squad could add 10 more points with a victory in the 4x100 relay. Mesquite Horn is ranked US No. 1 with a time of 45.27 seconds, which they produced in March at the Texas Relays.
"Last year we weren't expecting to do anything," Harris said.
A season ago, the team finished a surprising fourth in 45.79 seconds, despite having an inexperienced team with two juniors, senior and a freshman.
But Harris believes the team has what it takes in 2017.
"As a team, I think we can put up the points," she said.
And if all goes according to plan?
Harris already has a handful of school records. What she wants more is legitimacy at the highest level in Texas.
"I want to be one of the best athletes to ever come through Horn," she said. "If I do what I think I can do, I want to be the first athlete who can bring home three gold medals."
