The 5-foot-4 junior finished seventh at the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional championships this past season with a time of 18:05.2, making her the states' highest-placing finisher in either of the nation's two elite postseason championships. Unbeaten against in-state competition, Turner was forced to drop out of the Group AAA state meet after a mile with an injury. A two-time All-State selection, she won eight of nine races this fall prior to states.
Turner has maintained a 3.78 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.
Turner has volunteered locally with the Salvation Army and as a youth running coach. "From her first practice her freshman year, TaShala has shown a commitment and work ethic to be the best," said Ed Frohnapfel, head coach of University High. "She continues to approach every practice and race with the total and complete focus of an elite athlete."
