Now that spring-like weather finally has arrived, Jahna Smiley is hoping the increase in temperature leads to her to greater heights in the high jump.
The Columbus North senior consistently cleared 5 feet, 2 inches last season, but she’s only been able to make 5-0 so far this year. She’ll have a chance to go higher tonight when the Bull Dogs compete in the Conference Indiana meet at Southport.
“Warm weather really helps, and being healthy actually helps,” Smiley said. “Hopefully once I get 5-2, it will motivate me to get 5-3, 5-4, 5-5.”
Two years ago, Smiley cleared 5-1 to finish sixth in the regional. The top three make it to state.
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After clearing 5-2 a few times last year, Smiley came close to that in Tuesday’s dual meet at Shelbyville.
“It’s senior year, so it’s my last season, and I’m really trying to improve myself,” Smiley said. “I think I can do way better. For example, (Tuesday) night at Shelbyville, I really think I could have got 5-2.”
Besides the high jump, Smiley also is long jumping this season. She’s been running on North’s 4×100-meter relay team since her freshman year.
Smiley anchored the 4×100 team her freshman and sophomore years and ran third last year. This year, she’s running the second leg.
“We’re asking her to do a couple more things that we have in the past,” North coach Lou Sipe said. “I think as the weather starts to continue to get better, that’s going to help her get to where she’s wanting to go. She’s consistent, she had a great offseason and she comes to practice and works hard. It’s invaluable to have that experience.”
An honor student, Smiley likely is headed to Purdue to major in biology or neuroscience. She wants to become a clinical researcher and help find a cure for diseases like alzheimers or dementia.
For now, Smiley is hoping to finish her high school track and field career with a bang. She wants to at least make it back to regional and make a run at a state finals berth next month.
“As long as I do well, and I clear every height on my first chance, even if I only get to 5-2, I’ll for sure make it to regional,” Smiley said. “If I get that at regional and get everything on the first attempt, I should be one of the girls that gets pulled in.”
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Conference Indiana boys and girls track meet
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Southport High School
Teams: Columbus North, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Southport, Terre Haute North, Terre Haute South
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