Walker competes at state finals for Shawnee

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COLUMBUS — Preble Shawnee was represented at the 2016 track and field championships by their lone participant, Elise Walker — in the girls’ high jump.

Walker returned to the big dance after qualifying as a freshman two years ago in the same event. She easily cleared the first two heights of 4 feet 10 inches and 5 feet, without any troubles. Unfortunately, she was unable to clear 5 feet 2 inches and was cut from the finals.

“I managed to make it to state, but I had a really bad jumping day. But I’m happy to be here. I think a lot of my training for next year is to work on my speed and my form a little bit, everything I can do to be better,” Walker said.

“Elise did a great job representing our school at the state track meet,”Coach Stefanie Hurley said. “She competed well in the high jump, clearing 5’0 and finishing the season as the 13th best high jumper in Division III. She wanted to finish in the top eight and make it on the podium like she did freshman year, but unfortunately she didn’t have her best jumping day. It would have taken her personal best jump of 5’4 to place in the high jump this year.”

“I am very proud of how well Elise has done all season to make it here to Columbus, and she should be very proud to have made it back to the state meet,” Hurley added. “I told her after the competition that she needed to keep her head up. She was the only state qualifier from our school, and she got to compete at the state meet with the best jumpers in the state. Division I and Division II girls’ high jumps were won at 5’7, but our division was won at 5’10. It was a tough high jump competition in DIII, and Elise should be proud to have been part of it. She will be a senior next season, so we have one more chance to make it back here, and knowing Elise, she will work very hard for the next year to be back at the state meet in 2017.”

Preble Shawnee’s Elise Walker clears the 5-foot high jump mark.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/06/web1_Preble-Shawnee-high-jumper-Elise-Walker-attempts-to-clear-the-5-foot-mark..jpgPreble Shawnee’s Elise Walker clears the 5-foot high jump mark.

By Oliver Sanders

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Reach Oliver at 937-683-4062.

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