Kelsey Tauke
High jump isn’t just about the new height of a PR; it’s about the dedication and drive behind every jump and leap. What does it take to reach new heights?
Senior Kelsey Tauke was previously one of the best runners on the Pella Girls’ High School Track & Field roster.
“I’ve competed at Drake in the 4×1, 4×2, and 4×4, and I’ve gone to state for high jump, 4×1, 4×2, and 4×4. I’ve placed 6th at state in the 4×1 and 13th in the 4×2.”
However this season, she has shifted her mindset towards the high jump event. Tauke is looking to improve her PR (personal record) by training hard in and out of the season. Her current PR for high jump is 5’0”, but she is obviously looking to improve it this year, reaching for 5’2”
“I focus on what my coaches tell me, and I repeat that in my head until I finish the jump to ensure that my body and feet are doing exactly what I need them to do,” said Tauke.
This also includes lifting, practicing, taking care of her body, getting in the right mindset, and much more. Tauke has put enough time in the weight room that she is the all-time leader at Pella High School for the standing vertical jump test, at 33.3 inches!
“In the weight room, I am just working to improve my vertical more through hang clean and other plyometric workouts.”
Preparing and getting in the right mindset for a meet is very important to Tauke and essential to meeting her goals.
“When I’m chasing a PR, whether for high jump or a race, I find a song and will listen to it on repeat to get myself into a one-track mind to compete with myself only.”
Tauke values progressing as a team and getting better in order to be as prepared as possible. Aside from Tauke’s personal goals, she also has big aspirations for her team and plans to take them to the next level this season.
“I truly believe that the girl’s track team can win state this year,” said Tauke. “We have such a wide variety of talent that can’t go unnoticed on the track.”
Bailey Shetterly
The thrill of racing down the runway and nailing that perfect jump is everything. In a sport where every inch matters, speed and technique are essential to chasing your PR.
Senior Bailey Shetterly has run in many different events at an elite level throughout his high school track career. But, his focus is the long jump. Shetterly placed 5th in the state in class 3A last year, and he is only looking to get better.
“My current PR is 21 feet and 3 inches. The way I can improve it is by doing plyometric training and improving flexibility.”
Shetterly has a plan to reach his goal for a new PR, which is ——. Along with improving his flexibility and doing plyometrics, Shetterly does not let a single practice go to waste. He has a strict plan for every practice to help him achieve his new PR.
“We do a warmup with lots of quick explosive work and hopping,” said Shetterly. “Then we head over to the pit and do run-throughs. After that, we will usually jump with or without landing.”
However, long jumping takes more than just practice, Shetterly needs to be in the right zone mentally too. This is just as important as the physical aspects of the long jump.
“I remind myself that it’s just track and to not get hung up on a bad jump. If my first jump is bad, I get 2 or more chances usually.”
Shetterly tries to keep a healthy and clear mind, moving on from past mistakes to focus on the next jump. With his preparation and mindset, it is almost a guarantee that Shetterly will reach his new PR.
Although Shetterly’s track career will be over after this season, as he is not planning on jumping at the collegiate level, he has learned many lessons and the sport has helped him excel in other activities as well.
“It’s been fun. It has always been a secondary sport for me to help with football. I think it helped me a lot with improving my speed for football, and it was also a fun process,” said Shetterly. “It was awesome to win a state championship, and I hope we can do it again.”
