MONROE - Lexus Trickel just started competing in the triple jump last year. Now, she's a hop, step and jump from qualifying for the WIAA Division 2 state track and field meet.
Trickel won a regional title in the triple jump with a personal-best jump of 34 feet, 4 inches. She also moves on to the sectional in the long jump after a second-place regional finish (16-51⁄2).
"It was really exciting," Trickel said of qualifying for the sectional in the triple jump and long jump. "I didn't expect that out of myself."
Trickel has been on the Monroe High School girls track team for three years, but she has been a quick study in the triple jump. The first time she competed in the event was at a triangular conference meet last year at Oregon. She had her reservations about the triple jump at first.
"Last year when I got put in the triple jump I was really nervous, and I didn't know how I would do," she said. "I didn't know if it was my thing. Last year after I did it, I knew the triple jump was the thing I wanted to focus the most on. I've surprised myself with how well I've done. I've grown a lot since last year."
Trickel enters the Thursday's Division 2 McFarland sectional as a contender in the triple jump and in the long jump. She has high expectations for keeping her roll going.
"I'm shooting for a 35 (feet)," Trickel said of the triple jump. "That is my goal."
Trickel's season-best in the long jump is 16-73⁄4.
"For the long jump, I just really want to have a good day and do my best," Trickel said.
Trickel understands the second phase of the triple jump is her biggest challenge.
"I have to drive my knee up more," she said.
Trickel played four seasons on the Monroe volleyball team.
"I feel like there is some correlation," Trickel said. "It's two different kinds of jumping. In volleyball, you are jumping for height and in the triple jump you are jumping for length."
There are 12 girls on the Monroe track team who will compete in the McFarland sectional in 10 events, including the 400-, 1,600- and 3,200-relays relays.
"I'm really excited to see what we can accomplish there and how many we can advance to the state meet," Trickel said.
Trickel won a regional title in the triple jump with a personal-best jump of 34 feet, 4 inches. She also moves on to the sectional in the long jump after a second-place regional finish (16-51⁄2).
"It was really exciting," Trickel said of qualifying for the sectional in the triple jump and long jump. "I didn't expect that out of myself."
Trickel has been on the Monroe High School girls track team for three years, but she has been a quick study in the triple jump. The first time she competed in the event was at a triangular conference meet last year at Oregon. She had her reservations about the triple jump at first.
"Last year when I got put in the triple jump I was really nervous, and I didn't know how I would do," she said. "I didn't know if it was my thing. Last year after I did it, I knew the triple jump was the thing I wanted to focus the most on. I've surprised myself with how well I've done. I've grown a lot since last year."
Trickel enters the Thursday's Division 2 McFarland sectional as a contender in the triple jump and in the long jump. She has high expectations for keeping her roll going.
"I'm shooting for a 35 (feet)," Trickel said of the triple jump. "That is my goal."
Trickel's season-best in the long jump is 16-73⁄4.
"For the long jump, I just really want to have a good day and do my best," Trickel said.
Trickel understands the second phase of the triple jump is her biggest challenge.
"I have to drive my knee up more," she said.
Trickel played four seasons on the Monroe volleyball team.
"I feel like there is some correlation," Trickel said. "It's two different kinds of jumping. In volleyball, you are jumping for height and in the triple jump you are jumping for length."
There are 12 girls on the Monroe track team who will compete in the McFarland sectional in 10 events, including the 400-, 1,600- and 3,200-relays relays.
"I'm really excited to see what we can accomplish there and how many we can advance to the state meet," Trickel said.
