TACOMA — For Washougal’s Katelyn Wright, the high jump event at the state meet provided a chance at redemption.
“After not being able to go to state last year on a technicality . . .” she said after finishing third in the event at the Class 2A meet at Mount Tahoma High School.
Well, more like technical difficulties.
“Last year, I was over the qualifying height for state by a foot, but I kept hitting it with my heel,” Wright said.
So, after finishing second at state as a freshman, ninth as a sophomore, and nada as a junior, Wright was happy to return to the podium. She cleared a height of 5-foot-3 in the event won by Pullman freshman Lauren McCluskey at 5-4.
Along the way, her experience helped Wright overcome the inevitable nervousness that accompanies an appearance in the state meet.
“I was just hoping to have fun, which I did,” she said. “I jump better when I’m relaxed. You’re just like, ‘I’m here, let’s go.’ “
Wright missed her first two attempts at 5 feet before making it on her third. After that, things came more easily.
“I felt that I might be able to win this when I cleared 5-2 on my first try,” she said. “But I had good competition, and they proved to be tough.”
Not that Wright was complaining.
“It feels fantastic; I’m ecstatic,” she said.
In other Clark County highlights:
• Zach Lacey of Woodland finished sixth in the boys shot put with a mark of 50 feet, 3/4 inches.
• Cooper Budden of Hockinson was eighth in the boys javelin with a distance of 165-11.
