Layne ready to step out of the shadows and shine with Herd

SOUTH POINT — Emma Layne could be considered a nyctophile, which is someone who prefers the night or a dark environment.

The South Point Lady Pointers’ senior track standout tends to shy away from the  personal spotlight.

South Point's Emma Layne

Marshall plans to use Layne in her main events of sprints and relays and she noted that the 200-meter dash and 4x100 relay are her favorite races.

“It’s the adrenalin,” said Layne. “The 200, it’s usually dark, and the setting is nice. I just love it.”

But Layne won’t be in the dark anymore after signing a letter-of-intent on Friday to run for the Marshall Thundering Herd.

With great success on her résumé, Layne was an easy target for the Thundering Herd coaches.

Layne has her own trophy case of track records. She owns the South Point school records in the 100-meter dash, 200 meters, and both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

She also has the Southeast District record in the 200-meter dash and 4x200 relay. She is also a member of the South Point team that holds the 4x200 regional record.

Layne has been to the state meet in each of her three varsity seasons. If she qualifies this year, she will be the only South Point athlete to qualify for the state meet in all four years of her career.

Last year at the state meet, Layne was third in the 200-meter dash and fourth in the 100-meter dash. She was also a member of the 4x200 relay team that placed third.

South Point Lady Pointers’ track standout Emma Layne signed a letter-of-intent on Friday to run for the Marshall Thundering Herd. Attending the signing ceremony were: seated left to right, father Marvin Layne, Emma, and mother Shawnia Larsen; standing left to right, twin brother Ethan Layne, sister Allie Layne, niece Presley Layne, uncle Jeffrey McClelland, step-brother Bentley Larsen and stepfather Wesley Larsen. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

Shawnee State and Capital University were both on Layne’s list of landing spots, but she said the Marshall coaches were instrumental in her decision.

“Marshall’s coaches made my visit really nice. I loved it,” Layne said.

Going from high school to college will be a big jump for Layne, especially competing in the Sun Belt Conference.

“I have a couple of friends (at Marshall) and they seem to really love it. I’m excited,” said Layne.

But before she focuses on college, Layne has her undivided attention fixed on this season and returning to the state track meet for the fourth consecutive years which would be a first for any South Point track athlete.

“I just hope I can make it to state in all those events. I’ll be the first female athlete to go to state all four years, so I hope that happens,” said Layne.

Although she has played volleyball, Layne said she gravitated to track because it was a tradition in the family.

“My aunt and all of them are on the record board. I just did track one time and it stuck with me,” said Layne.

Running track was fun but Layne said she didn’t have aspirations of running at the next level until her sophomore year.

“Until I realized my potential in track, that’s when I made my decision,” said Layne.

When the high school career ends and the college career begins, Layne said there are a few key factors that will help her adjust.

“Probably, a lot of motivation,” said Layne. “I just want to do good. I like seeing the progress. I love PRing (personal record). I just hope to keep getting better.”

Lady Pointers coach Hollie Swarts likes to tell a story that she said best describes the track standout.

Swarts said during Layne’s freshman year she had an auspicious start to her track start that proved to exemplify the type of character she exhibits.

“It was our first invitational and she was running the 200-meter dash. The gun went off and when there was that unmistakable pop-pop. False start,” said Swarts. “Everybody else pulled up and stopped. But here was Emma 50 meters, 70 meters. We’re running and yelling ‘Stop! Stop!’ She stopped with a sly smile, turned around and walked back to the line."

“I tell that story not to embarrass her, but I think that encapsulates her career here in track and field. Everyone else pulls up. Everyone else stops. Emma keeps going. She has been an integral part of this track team.”

Layne plans to major in criminal justice.