OLDHAM COUNTY, Ky. — Every year, the best distance runners in the state go head to head in the Kentucky Dream Mile but this year’s race was something special for one Oldham County High School sophomore.

More often than not, you’ll find Tula Fawbush on the track running with the boys.

“You just have to run up so you can get better, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do,” Fawbush said.

It’s a strategy that has worked well for her running career.

“My cousins ran, my mom and dad did not run, they did soccer. And she was like, ‘Since they run, you should too.’ And she signed me up and I’ve just been going ever since,” Fawbush said.

Combined with an unusual pre race ritual, Fawbush always gives it her all.

“Honestly, a pre-race ritual I have is just to say that I’ll do bad,” Fawbush said. “I say that every time, like you can ask my friends. ‘Yeah, she said she’s going to do bad.’ But I just say that because then you don’t get disappointed”

She’s now one of the top distance runners to watch as only a sophomore. Especially after going toe to toe with the best runners in state for the Kentucky Dream Mile.

It’s a race that has been replaying in Fawbush’s mind—out kicking her opponent by milliseconds to win the race.

“Unbelievable, crazy," she said of her reaction. "I didn’t believe I could do it, neither did my mom, but that’s ok. I was just as surprised."

She broke a state record that has been in the history books since 2011 with a new time of 4 minutes and 49 seconds. It’s just another accomplishment Fawbush can add to her resume.

“She’s not done yet, she keeps setting goals,” said Courtney Wayland, head girls distance track coach at Oldham County High School. “I know her goal is to get her name up there one more time. She wants to set that 800 record so she can have that 800 school record, but she continues to try and beat her records that she’s already set now because she wants to be the best.”

Along with holding the 1600 and 3200 meter school record, Fawbush hopes to be known for much more than her times.

“I think it would be really cool to leave a legacy and it would probably give people some inspiration, maybe to say yeah, she did this so you can too,” Fawbush said.

Tula Fawbush plans to run the 1600 and 800 at the high school state track meet at the University of Kentucky on Saturday, June 4.