Meet the Class of 2020 Spring Athletes: Abigail Lamb Altman

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Track and Field, Colleton County High School
Daughter of Byron and Christian Altman, Walterboro
Position: Distance Runner
Planning to play in college? No
GPA: 4.9
Future aspirations? I will be attending the College of Charleston in the fall.
Intended field of study? Psychology
Career Interest? Child life specialist at MUSC Children’s Hospital
Academic Honors: Beta Club, National Honor Society, Honor Graduate
Athletic Honors: Lady Cougar Track Highest GPA (2019), five-year Varsity Letterman (Track & Field), four-year Varsity Letterman (Cross-Country), SCHSL Cross-Country State Qualifier (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Region VII-AAAA All-Region (2016), SCHSL Lower State Cross-Country Qualifier (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Cross-Country Coaches Award (2019), Coaches Award (cross-country 2019), Cross Country Best Girls Runner (2015, 2016, 2017), Sportsmanship Award (cross-country 2017), Best Distance Runner (track and field 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Best Mid-Distance Runner (2018), Drug Free Track Classic Women’s MVP (2017), Adidas Low Country Invitational Female Track MVP (2017), SCHSL All-Region Qualifier (2016, 2017, 2018), SCHSL Lower State Qualifier (2016, 2017, 2018), Colleton County Track and Field Record Holder for 1-mile and 2-mile.
What other sports have you played? Varsity track (5-years), varsity cross-country (4-years), and varsity tennis (1-year)

At what age did you begin running? I was 13 when I began competing in varsity sports.
What one word describes you? Driven.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher is Coach Howell. Ever since I started weightlifting my junior year, Coach Howell has always pushed me to go beyond my limits and test my strength. Not only have I reached my goals, thanks to his coaching, but I have exceeded my own expectations and I love this class. He looks very tough, but really it conceals a big heart for his students. He encouraged me to get back to where I was even before I had my kidney problems. He is the definition of a great teacher.
How has athletics made you a better student? Athletics has made me focus first on my academic performance and then my race performance.
Fondest memory in your athletic career? Setting the school record for the 2-mile and 1-mile race as a freshman.
If your high school athletic career were a movie, what one song would be on the soundtrack? Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? “The first mile is for the fastest. The second mile is for the one with the most endurance. But the last mile is for the one with the most heart.” Coach Packy Burke
If you could ask our President one question, what would it be? When can I graduate?
Sports hero? Shelton Reynolds
Favorite thing about self-distancing during COVID-19? I can be flexible with my work and study time.
Top-5 must haves while self-distancing? Netflix, art supplies, spa masks, my phone, and a good book.
It is Senior Night. Ready, set, go. My high school career as an athlete and a student has definitely been a come-back story. All I can say is thank you to my amazing coaches: Howell, Momma B, Singleton, Hammond and Coach Mylinda and, most importantly, God. It has been a great four years.