Taytum Goodman closes iconic career at Springlake-Earth, preps to reunite with brother

AUSTIN — Trace Goodman has watched his sister run around with nonstop energy for quite some time.

He recalled family vacations when the inseparable pair would chase each other as he wondered why his younger sibling was never out of breath.

"I just remember her going 100 miles an hour, no matter what," Goodman said. "Just being a tiny little thing. … She's always been go, go go."

That didn't stop as Taytum Goodman got older.

The Springlake-Earth star honed her favorite pastime into a career for the ages. On the same stage where most saw Taytum for the first time, she took a bow Saturday night the only way she knew how.

Goodman added her ninth and final UIL state track gold medal in record-breaking fashion, her farewell to an event she owned for four years. Kicking on the final lap, Goodman finished the 1,600 meters in 5 minutes, 3.60 seconds to set a new Class 1A meet high mark for a third time.

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When she debuted in 2021 , the record sat at 5:15.40. As she shaved down time, Goodman proved again and again she was in a league of her own.

"When I heard that (bell) ring, I was like, 'Wait, this is the last lap,'" Goodman said. "I don't get it back. So that's why I turned it back on."

Bittersweet moment for mom, coach

It seems like yesterday Jeri Been Goodman saw her freshman daughter earn three medals at the top meet. That same year, a junior Trace took bronze in the 400 minutes after Taytum did the same. It remains as one of Trace's fondest memories competing.

"No matter how fast I was running, slow I was running, meeting her on the track and getting to do it together was my favorite," he said.

It was that meet where onlookers realized what Trace knew all along.

"I've always known she's special," Trace said. "… From that first year at state cross country, I knew it was going to be a long journey with her."

Taytum Goodman set the 1A state cross country record then and improved the 2-mile best to 10:59.36 as a sophomore. She wrapped up an undefeated career in the sport with her fourth state title in the fall.

It proved to be an emotional experience for Been Goodman, and she conceded the same is expected now that high school track is over.

"When she falls asleep tomorrow heading home, I'll be up there crying, driving her home," Been Goodman said. "It's sinking in, but thank goodness I'm gonna get to see her at the next level."

The next era

Not only will Been Goodman get to see Taytum at the next level, Trace will be there, too.

Taytum signed with Texas Tech, where Trace is already part of the track program. Trace accepted a student manager position in which he'll pace others during training, among other duties. Chief among them will be providing brotherly advice to his running "idol."

Trace's first tip was to choose Tech in the first place. He admitted it took a bit of convincing, but he got Taytum to realize reuniting would be the best move for all.

"We've always been so close I think it really helped on the decision," Trace said. "… I told her if you're there I'm gonna be running with you, so why not do it together?"

High school swan song

Taytum started her day with gold in the 3,200, an event she competed in twice. She set the 1A meet record at 10:56.53 last season. Despite a personal-best 2:14.88, she finished second in the 800 for her fourth state medal in the race.

Her first 800 without gold, Taytum said it provided extra motivation for her favorite event. She also received encouragement from Trace, who urged her on as the race played out.

"She gets over to me on the curve, we locked eyes and I told her to keep on going," Trace said. "Don't let up. If you're gonna do it, do it. From there on out I knew she was gonna get it."

Been Goodman wasn't sure how Taytum would react to her runner-up finish. For those who had marveled for four years, there was little doubt.

"After that 800 I didn't know how she was gonna bounce back," Been Goodman said. "But she came back in Taytum Goodman rare form, so it's a good day."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Taytum Goodman closes iconic career at Springlake-Earth, preps to reunite with brother