Step by step, meter by meter, Kanisha Calcote gets a little closer to peace of mind.

It hasn’t been an easy time for the Renton High senior. She lost her cousin and grandmother earlier in the year, but the grief didn’t sidetrack her progress on the track – it made her better.

“Before the race I think of all the stuff I’ve been through,” Calcote said. “For me to run faster and faster, it’s a real outlet.”

Calcote first knew she was fast when she won a 200-meter race at a church track meet.

“I was only 11; I finished way ahead of everyone,” she said.

Now in high school, Calcote’s still often finishing ahead of everyone. She ran the Seamount’s fastest 100-meter time this season, 12.59 seconds. She also owns the league’s best time in the 200-meter, 25.90 seconds.

Calcote is one of the biggest reasons the Renton girls track team went undefeated in dual meets and won the league meet this season. Even with an injury earlier in the season, her work ethic is keeping her near the top.

“She works hard. She’s determined and she knows she has to earn it,” said Alice Williams, Renton girls track coach.

Calcote ran the 200-meter, along with the 400-meter and 800-meter relays at the 3A state meet in Pasco on May 23-24. She placed 16th in the 200-meter. The 800-meter relay team was disqualified, but she did pick up an impressive placing with her 400-meter relay team. The group (Starr Williams, Mary Powell and Nai Chao round out the relay team) placed fourth in the finals.

When Calcote gets in the blocks before each race, she says a prayer, then says “first” to herself, to remind herself of the goal. Once the gun sounds, it’s simply get to the finish line as fast as possible. And no doubts about it, she gets there fast.

Adam McFadden can be reached at amcfadden@reporternewspapers.com or 425-255-3484.