East Canton's Audrey Wade hoping for a perfect finish to her busy high school career

Audrey Wade will likely be a East Canton graduate before her high school athletic career ends.

She still hopes her best days as a Hornet ... and Wizard ... lie ahead.

Wade hit the ground running as a freshman and will leave East Canton the same way she entered. She is about to receive her fourth varsity letter in track and field and 12th overall.

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A wire-to-wire run as a student-athlete is a feat Wade never initially considered.

"I had the confidence but never realized what I could do," Wade said. "I knew I wanted to be good at everything I did, but I didn't realize I would be like I am now."

Wade has been one of the area's top girls distance runners throughout her career. She qualified for the state cross country meet as a junior and senior. She already has two state track and field meet appearances and is looking to book a third.

Oh, Wade can play some basketball, too. She was a special mention All-Ohio selection in Division IV last season.

All it took was a few races and a few trips up and down the court for Wade to see her full potential.

"Last year track and last year basketball, I kind of realized I could be as good as I wanted to be," Wade said.

The 2023 track and field season was a year of redemption for Wade. After missing out on a state berth her sophomore year, she qualified in the 1,600 and finished eighth. That earned her a spot on the awards podium.

"This sport doesn't define me, and I guess that was something I had to realize," Wade said. "God is who defines me, and that kind of put everything in perspective. I just had to run for the glory of Him, and it would come.

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"Last year made me realize I can set high goals and achieve them. It was really exciting to be able to prove to myself and everybody else I can do that."

Running is in Wade's future. She has signed with NCAA Division I Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Basketball will always have a special place in her heart. Wade had the opportunity to play for her father Jason, the Wizards' head coach.

"I really enjoyed it," Wade said. "He was definitely good at putting dad and coach separately. He knew how to push me and when to pull back a little. Having a coach that knows you is definitely important at the high school level."

Wade admits her final track and field season has been "a bit disappointing" so far. Despite being ranked among the Stark County leaders in the 1,600 and 3,200, she thought she would be doing better.

"I just have to trust the process," Wade said.

The 1,600 is Wade's favorite. She will likely run that race, the 800 and the 1,600 and 3,200 relays when the postseason starts next week.

What would be Wade's perfect ending to her busy and successful East Canton career?

"To be a state champion," she said. "That's everybody's goal. That's what I'm looking for."

Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: East Canton runner, basketball player Audrey Wade sees full potential