WHY MAYO? During the 2005-2006 school year, Mayo ran the fastest high school times in the country in the 100 meters (11.15 seconds) and 200 (22.88), earned No. 1 All-America rankings in both events, and ran the anchor leg in China in August on the U.S. World Junior record-setting 4 x 100 relay.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? "I was shocked when I found out," she said. "I guess this is a pretty big thing."

Mayo said she has not seen the latest edition of the magazine but has known about her selection for a few weeks.

WHAT'S NEXT: Mayo wants to break the national high school record of 11.11 in the 100 meters and hopes to lower her 200 time to 22.3.

OTHER GIRLS IN THE TRIANGLE: Southern Durham's Patience Coleman was 13th in the Athlete-of-the-Year voting. She ranked No. 1 in the high jump and was the only high school girl to clear 6 feet.

TOP TRIANGLE BOYS: Track and Field News' top lists included Clayton's Johnny Dutch (No. 2 in the 110 high hurdles), Garner's Brandon Banks (No. 3 in the 100) and Chapel Hill's Jack Bolas (No. 3 in the mile).