TACOMA — Emily Corona’s strategy for winning state was straightforward: Jump higher than she ever had before, and hope it would be enough.
She did. It was.
Corona, a sophomore at Shorecrest High School, jumped 5 feet, 7 inches, to win the 3A high jump on the opening day of the 4A/3A/2A state Track and Field Championships Thursday at Mount Tahoma High School.
“It’s crazy,” Corona said of winning state and breaking Shorecrest’s school record of 5-6.5 inches all in one jump, “I never would have thought. I’m seriously shaking right now.”
Here’s what makes it all the more impressive: Corona didn’t get off crutches until two days ago.
The Shorecrest sophomore stepped on a nail over the weekend, resulting in an unforeseen trip to the hospital for a tetanus shot and pair of crutches, which she used until Tuesday.
“She look(ed) smooth and focused today,” Shorecrest track coach Brandon Christensen said. “… funny how she makes 5-4 look easy.”
In the process, Corona, who also qualified for state last year in the long jump and high jump, bested Lakeside senior Emi Lawson (eighth place), someone whom Corona said she idolized when she was in seventh grade.
She also might have started a new rivalry with Timberline freshman Sasha Weber. Weber, who placed second at state, entered the state meet as the only 3A state competitor to clear 5-7 this year, according to Athletic.net.
But with a state championship on the line between the two underclassmen, Weber couldn’t replicate her earlier height, and Corona cleared it for the first time ever.
“Oh yeah,” Corona said, when asked if she expected to see Weber again next year. “And the year after that and the year after that.”
Everett High school senior and Class 3A District 1 champion Suzy Olsen turned in a podium-worthy performance in the 3,200- meter run by placing eighth in a time of 11 minutes, 34.41 seconds behind Carey Parker of Seattle Prep (first place) and Theresa Edwards of Bonney Lake (second place). Olsen also holds the state’s fastest time in the 1,600, finals for which will occur on Saturday.
In preliminary races, Shorecrest’s 800 relay team of Lynleigh Oliver, Nicole Harris, Erin Springer and Alexis Ramos, which is ranked second in the state, won its heat to advance to finals and a matchup with first-ranked Rainier Beach.
Class 4A
Jackson senior Alison Ponce has an advantage over most competitors on the track. When it comes down to the final lap, when most have nothing left in the tank, she’s able to kick it up a notch.
That extra kick helped Ponce, who was making her first-ever state appearance, place fifth in a time of 11:00.99 in the 3,200.
“She’s a beast,” agreed Cascade senior Breanna Huschka, who also medaled in the 3,200 by placing seventh.
Huschka and Stanwood sophomore Minna Fields, who were also making their first state track appearances, kept pace with Ponce for most of the race before Ponce, the District 1 champion, pulled ahead to edge them. Fields finished sixth in a time of 11:01.38.
Class 2A
Lacey Nation of Lakewood just qualified for the 3,200 meter race, winning the fourth and final spot at districts last week by .04 of a second. That didn’t stop the diminutive Nation from turning in a strong performance with a time of 11:23.69 to take third place. Nation, who was ranked seventh in state, jumped four positions when all was said and done.
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