Now this is touching . . .

LANCASTER – Sharla Lashawn Butler never needed help to lap the track, believe that.

The 16-year-old, a small, sassy “star,” as her family called her, blazed through 400 meters. It was her event.

But about 200 people were on hand Saturday morning to remember Butler in her final victory lap in a touching but somber ceremony at Beverly D. Humphrey Tiger Stadium.

The Lancaster sophomore died Monday of complications from encephalitis, devastating her family and the perennially strong Tigers track team.

When the hearse that carried her pulled onto the track, the too-heavy-to-bear moment threatened to overcome.

The girls and boys track athletes and coaches trudged to line up behind Butler, the girls holding single, purple balloons in a nod to their teammate’s favorite color.

In the blustery wind and out of the silence came the words: “Sharla, take your mark. … Set.”

The starting pistol fired.

And then, when it was almost too much: cheers.

The spectators in the stands put their hands together, and they hollered: “Come on, baby … take that turn, baby.”

Inspirational music started pumping, and Butler and her teammates slowly circled the track they know so well.

Read the full DMN article and watch an accompanying video here.