AMHERST – Olivia DeRodes knew she not only had the ability to make it to the track and field state meet next week, but was expected to do so.
High jumper Olivia DeRodes stands fourth on the regional meet podium.
And sometimes the weight of expectations can play havoc with an athlete.
But DeRodes, a state qualifier in the high jump a year ago and a veteran of state swim meets, is no stranger to rising to the occasion when it matters most.
The junior cleared a height of 5 feet, 4 inches, and finished fourth Wednesday at the first day of the Division 1 track and field regional, punching her ticket for a return trip to Columbus next weekend for the state competition.
“I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to get back to state,” DeRodes said. “I felt better and better the higher I went, felt more relief. I got to 5-4, I felt really good and it was top 4 after that. I was relieved because it was rough at the beginning.”
Earlier this season, DeRodes set the school record by clearing 5-5.5, and has consistently been clearing 5-2, 5-3 and 5-4 throughout the year. But she didn’t clear 5-0 or 5-3 until her third attempts, nearly ending her day – and season – short.
“I had a lot of misses,” DeRodes said. “I was freaking out.”
Ross jumping coach Mike Rankin said DeRodes’ technique wasn’t the issue.
Olivia DeRodes
“It was a mental thing today. Nerves,” he said. “She’s worried about trying to get back to where she was last year.
“I kind of had to pull her to the side and say ‘You’re one of the best in this region. What you need to do is focus and concentrate,’ because if she focuses and concentrates, there’s really nobody that can beat her.”
Qualifying for the state meet as a sophomore a year ago, DeRodes said she was overwhelmed by the size and scope of the meet. Returning next week, she believes the nerves and pressure she felt Wednesday will ease in Columbus.
“I’m excited for next week,” she said. “I feel the pressure but I have a lot more confidence this year. I feel a lot more comfortable this year and that I know I can compete at that level.”
Rankin said DeRodes has already done the hardest part.
“Honestly, when you get to the state meet, there’s really no pressure,” he said. “Getting there is the pressure. Now, once you’re there, all you have to do is perform. She’s going to perform. You’ve seen her perform in the pool and in volleyball. Track is no different.”
Jahns continues to surpass her own expectations
Emma Jahns throws the shot put in the regional meet.
Show up and see what happens.
It’s a laid-back approach to competing and one that is working wonders for junior shot putter Emma Jahns.
A week ago, Jahns came out of nowhere by breaking her own personal-best throw by a foot to finish second in the district meet to qualify for the regional, an accomplishment she never thought possible.
Wednesday, Jahns topped herself again. She entered seeded 11th out of 16 throwers but with her third throw of the preliminary round, she again shattered her personal-best, reaching a distance of 34 feet, 10.50 inches, sending her to the finals and placing her seventh in the regional.
“It was ‘Wow, I actually did this. I actually made the podium,’” Jahns said.
Not bad for someone who entered the meet with modest expectations.
“It was more of a see-what-happens thing,” she said. “I was hoping for podium, but we’ll see what happens.
“I’m gaining more confidence every time I throw.”
Shot putter Emma Jahns stands seventh on the regional meet podium.
Ross girls track and field head coach, and throwing coach, Travis Bates said he could see Jahns was ready for a good day before the competition began.
“She had a really good warm-up,” he said. “The first two throws in prelims she just didn’t hit it, then the last throw she got under it, stayed up on the ball of her foot, got everything turned and had a nice throw.
“She had a great year and I’m looking forward to another year with her.”
Given how far she’s come over the last month of the season, Jahns’ own expectations and goals for her senior season next year are expanding. But her overall approach will remain the same.
“I want to get back to regionals next year,” she said, “and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Nerves? What nerves?
Keaton Jordan was so nervous before last week’s district meet, he made himself sick. Twice.
The junior pole vaulter had put so much emphasis all season on placing high at the district meet, he became a nervous wreck.
Keaton Jordan clears 13 feet, 8 inches in the pole vault regional competition, where he finished tied for sixth.
But, having crossed that goal off his to-do list last week, he entered Wednesday afternoon’s regional competition playing with house money.
“Last week, I wasn’t seeded to make it out of districts but that was something I was shooting for since the beginning of the year, so I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to make it out,” he said.
“I love the atmosphere here. It was a lot more relaxed and less pressure here. It didn’t seem as busy to me. It felt a lot like practice today. A lot less stress today than last week.”
With his cool, calm and collected demeanor, Jordan soared to clear a height of 13 feet, 8 inches, narrowly missing out at 14 feet, ending in a tie for sixth place on the podium.
“It feels pretty great,” Jordan said. There is always that feeling of ‘I could have done better.’ I was really close on 14 for the third time this year. I always feel like I could have done better but, looking at how the other guys jumped today, it wasn’t looking like I’d make it out, but I was happy with how I jumped today.”
Jordan’s season comes to close with him still chasing the school record of 14-2, which will be 45 years old next spring.
“He can break the school record,” said boys head track and field coach John Elder. “I don’t know if it’s mental or what it is, but he had a great day. I was hoping he would (make podium). It all depends on how kids react when they come here. Sometimes the day gets in your head and if you make a mistake and you can’t overcome the mistake. I’m excited for Keaton.”
Burling makes discus final but misses podium
Jason Burling throws a personal-best 147-08 in the discus.
Sophomore Jason Burling began his day with a bang. His first throw of the preliminary round resulted in a new personal-best throw of 147 feet, 8 inches. The toss gained him entry into the final round where he finished ninth, one place shy of a spot on the medal podium.
“He’s one of two sophomores here,” Bates said. “We watched the video and looking at his technique, there are five or six little things he can get better at. He’s got the athleticism, the power and the strength and he’s just a sophomore.”
Burling’s regional isn’t over, however. He’ll compete again Friday in the shot put. He enters the meet with a PR of 48 feet but Bates said if he can reach the distances he’s been reaching repeatedly in practice, he’ll have a shot to reach the podium.
“He’s been throwing 52 in practice and making it look easy,” Bates said. “Regionals, you never know what happens. You get some guys come in and have a huge day and others choke.”
More results
The boys 4×400 relay team of Oliver Ellis, Bryce McKinstry, Ka’Von Martin and Matt Kuyken combined to clock a time of 3:23.53 Wednesday, placing them sixth in the preliminary heats and punching their place in Friday’s regional final.
Ellis, running the 400 open, finished with a time of 51.72 seconds, placing him 11th.
The 4×200 relay suffered a disappointing result as the team of Janna Sutton, Kimora Rapp, Ashanti Elkins and Jazzele Lindsey were disqualified for running outside the baton exchange zone.
The regional meet concludes Friday. AnneMarie Moses will compete in the pole vault, while Burling throws the shot put. Matt Kuyken and McKela Elder will each run in their respective 800 runs. Ellis, McKinstry, Martin and Kuyken will also run the final of the 4×400.
Division I Regional Meet – Day 1
GIRLS
FINALS
High Jump: 4. Olivia DeRodes, 5-04.00 – State Meet qualifier
Shot Put: 7. Emma Jahns, 34.10-05
PRELIMINARIES:
4×200 Relay: DQ (Janna Sutton; Kimora Rapp; Ashanti Elkins; Jazzele Lindsey).
BOYS
FINALS
Discus: 9. Jason Burling, 147-08
Pole Vault: 6(T). Keaton Jordan, 13-08.00
PRELIMINARIES
400 Run: 11. Oliver Ellis, 51.72
4×400 relay: 6. Oliver Ellis; Bryce McKinstry; Ka’Von Martin; Matt Kuyken; 3:23.53 — Regional Final qualifier