It was a constant running back and forth to the awards podium that Jazzy Shumate endured on Saturday afternoon.
The Rainier High School senior is only practicing for what could be her future in Yakima.
Her goal of running and placing in four events at the Class 2B state meet has reached a clearer vision after top-six placements in the 100, 200, 400 and 300 hurdles at the Chehalis Activators, helping the Mountaineers clip Woodland 86.5-85 for the team title.
“This is the year where I’m stepping up, I’m showing my leadership,” Shumate said. “I have these goals for myself and I’m proving it every single time I step on the track.”
Her event schedule proved as a test run if she ran the same four events at state. If she were to make the finals, it would look like this:
100 finals – 11:40 a.m.
400 finals – 1:55 p.m.
300 hurdle finals – 2:35 p.m.
200 finals – 3:35 p.m.
It’s a daunting task, but one Shumate is up for.
“Going from the 400 to the 300, it is going to be rough,” she said. “(Coach Henry) does have me enduranced enough to go for it.”
Her lone victory came in the 400, a new PR of 1 minute, 14 seconds. It’s the second time she’s gone sub-61 seconds this season and the third time of her career. The competitive side was still thirsting for breaking one minute.
Glass half-full was still a new best while having several meets still on the docket before leagues and districts.
“It means the work I am doing is paying off, but now it is what’s next,” Shumate said.
She had a notable grimace during her fourth place finish in the 100, her first race of the day. It didn’t matter by following it with her win, placing third in the 300 hurdles and sixth in the 200.
There is potential she could replace the 100 with the 1,600-meter relay if Rainier can get a quartet it feels can place high.
Rainier’s other victory came from Kaylee Bravo in the discus, launching her final throw of 110-09 for a new career best. She barely made the finals after scratching her first two tosses, which led to some nerves.
She was able to throw three more times and saved the best for last.
“I just knew I had to stay calm and just believe in myself,” Bravo said. “Once I got a mark in, I was able to settle down. Just focusing on my form will really help.”
It’s now the third straight season the Mountaineers have a contender for a state discus title. Two years ago, it was Haleigh Hanson that took fourth and then last year, Janess Blackburn outlasted several District 4 foes to win the title.
Bravo is ready for her moment in the spotlight after watching and learning from her former teammates.
“I’ve always been in the shadows,” Bravo said. “They gave me a chance to prove to myself I can play with the big kids.”
Rainier’s Komaire Robles finished second in both the 800 and 1,600-meter runs while Kinsley Barlow took second in the 3,200. Black Hills freshman KC Gleizes recorded top-five finishes in the triple jump and high jump and teammate Ambrielle Wallace was fifth in the high jump.
Centralia’s Anna Jones placed third in the 200 and fourth in the 400 while Desiray Crockett was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles. The Tigers also placed top-four in all three relays.
MWP’s Karah Fairhart was the runner-up in the discus and fourth in the shot put while teammate Samantha Lougee was third in the javelin. Napavine’s best placer was Saydee Gilligan, 10th in the pole vault.
Onalaska’s Faith Hammer placed fourth in the javelin while Rochester had two runner-up finishes from Kenna Pratt (long jump) and Brooklyn Alfonso (javelin).
Pe Ell’s Karli Phelps recorded top-six finishes in the hurdles and Maisy King was sixth in the triple jump. Tumwater’s best finish was its 400 relay taking third in 54.23 seconds.
W.F. West’s Azami Bortoletto registered three top-eight finishes in the 800, 1,600 and pole vault. Winlock star Victoria Sancho grabbed fifth place finishes in the 100 and 200 plus sixth in the long jump.
