JMM State Qualifiers

What does it take to make it to state in track & field? There are many qualities that compose a state qualifier for track & field. A combination of hard work, athleticism, dedication, skill, perseverance, and positive attitude can be found in all of the qualifiers this season from Madison Memorial. The group is made up of 2 boys & 3 girls, 3 seniors & 2 sophomores, 3 three sport athletes & 2 two sport athletes, and 5 great representatives of Madison Memorial. For young athletes on the team hoping to participate at state track & field next season you can learn a lot from these competitors.

On the face of things it would seem that Daurice, Micah, Kayla, Sydney, & Holly made it to state because they are the best athletes on the team. While this is partially true it does not tell the whole story behind what got these athletes to the point of being state qualifiers. Since they were freshman (even before for many of them) they have been dedicated to improving themselves as athletes. They have all participated in off-season lifting, they are all multi-sport athletes at Memorial, they have all seeked out opportunities to improve in their specific discipline, and they are all willing to put in the extra time to improve as an athlete. This can be ANYONE on our track & field team...if you are willing to make the commitment.

They all started from somewhere (it didn't happen over night):
Daurice ran 17.7 in his first 110m hurdle race (he set the school record this year at 14.05), he opened up in the 300m hurdles with a time of 45.5 (his PR is sub 39.0), and he didn't start long jumping until he was a soph when he jumped 18' 8.5" (he holds the school record at 23' 3.5").
Micah jumped 36' 4.5" in the triple jump as a freshman (currently 4th on the Spartan Seven at 45' 3") and didn't start running hurdles until his junior year with a time of 17.0 (he qualified to state with a 15.43)
Kayla pole vaulted 7' 6" as a freshman (now is #2 on the Spartan Seven with a vault of 10' 9")
Sydney started in the high jump as a freshman clearing 4' 6" (now is #3 on the Spartan Seven having cleared 5' 2")
Holly threw 52' 3" in her first meet throwing discus (qualified to state with #2 all-time best Spartan throw of 131'9")

What can YOU do to be the next JMM State Qualifier?
- Get faster & stronger (Summer Speed & Strength)
- Improve your technique (Attend a camp/clinic)
- Join another sport at Memorial (JMM athletics)

Best of Luck to Daurice, Micah, Kayla, Sydney, & Holly as they travel to UW-La Crosse to represent Madison Memorial this weekend.