Cara Sims always keeps the finish line in mind.

The hard-working Elysian Fields junior distance runner just completed a magical school year in which she earned three individual state championships in Class 2A and broke two state records in the process.

But just a week after capping off an impressive one-two punch in the 3200 meter and 1600 meter runs at the state track meet in Austin, Cara had something else on her mind: getting ready for the next one.

That’s finish line mentality, and the youngest child of Chad and Jana Sims has it. The young runner understands that before you can begin to think about finishing a race, you first have to reach the starting line. That’s where one of the most dominant young runners in the state begins every season.