Ferris’ Caviness charts her course

Halle Caviness has always been at home on the track, losing a few races, winning many more and always finding contentment.

She was there again on the evening of May 11, warming up on the track behind Ferris High School as her classmates gathered in small groups on the grass.

Local artist Tom Pettoelo had just completed a spray-paint masterpiece on the field, with the names of every member of the class of 2020.

“I was a little surprised they were doing that, but I think it just felt cool for everyone to be recognized,” Caviness said.

So much has been lost this spring to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for this year’s high school seniors. There were no proms or big commencement ceremonies at the Arena and no spring sports such as track and field.

But few have given up more than Caviness. A distance runner since her freshman year, she lost not her senior year on the track, but the man who helped her excel.

Her father, Ferris track coach Chris Caviness, died on April 20 after a 15-month battle with cancer. He was 56.

A Ferris grad himself, Caviness was diagnosed early in 2019 and continued to coach while undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments during track season last spring and into the fall cross country season.

“It’s been really hard, even before this spring,” Halle Caviness said. “But I’ve tried to move on and focus on things.”

It’s helped that Caviness has plenty of support through faith, family and the friendships she’s made at Ferris.

“I just really loved my time at Ferris,” Caviness said. “I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like without my teachers and coaches. They’ve been so supportive no matter what stages of life I’ve been through.”

Caviness also has made long-lasting friendships at Ferris through her involvement in track and cross country, jazz band and National Honor Society – all while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.

“She’s pretty fearless when it comes to doing stuff, and she’s never shied away,” said Ferris history teacher James Noble, one of her cross country coaches.

Noble recalls that prior to her freshman year, Caviness had leaned toward playing volleyball. However, she hit her stride in summer training and decided to turn out for cross country.

Two years later, she helped Ferris reached the state meet and finished 23rd overall.

“She worked really hard and quietly motivated people all the time,” Noble said.

Talented enough to compete at the college level, Caviness has received preferred walk-on invitations from Division I schools. However, she plans to attend BYU this fall and eventually major in special education or occupational therapy.

“I’ve always wanted to do something that would help me work directly with people,” Caviness said.