05/30/2026
"I couldn't be more proud. Not about the result, but about the effort."
This athlete dug deep and made it to state in the triple jump yesterday. It has been an emotional roller-coaster of a season with really high highs, and some very low lows.
Noah's indoor season finished up with winning 3 of the 4 meets, setting a meet record, and putting up a monster personal best.
The shift to competing outdoors was challenging. Expectations were high. Results were somewhat flat. Consistent, but flat.
And then, during a monster jump a week before conference, Noah injured his ankle during a take off. We thought the season was over.
We worked with medical staff, coaches, and trainers. He dialed it in. He worked the plan. He competed at conference, which at one point he was slated to win, but finished a disappointing 5th.
We continued to work the plan. Do one day at a time. And at THE hottest meet of the season, he qualified for sectionals, which was yesterday.
He had 6 total jumps. The field of 8 jumped 3 times, then were ranked by distance, with 3 more jumps.
Noah scratched his first 2 attempts, and his 3rd jump put him in very last place. Nerves were HIGH. So many jumpers were scratching. We were nervous but still ok.
He scratched his 4th jump. We were not okay. His 5th jump was better, but certainly not a state qualifying number.
He came to me between jump 5 and 6. His heart was beating wildly. I put my hand on his back, told him to regulate with me, feel his feet, trust his body, and jump a distance he already knew how to do.
He dug so deep, went for it, and finished in second place securing a ticket to state!
When I ran to him, apparently barefoot, 😂 there were a couple jumpers left to go. He wasn't sure it was enough. I told him it WAS enough. He jumped for himself. THE EFFORT was incredible. Going to state is a BONUS. He proved to himself he had another gear. Mental fortitude. That is the win.
Next week we travel to my alma mater, UW-La Crosse where we will cheer him on and celebrate this incredible season.
