LAKEWOOD — Like any freshman, Laurene Powell was happy to be here last season. Mountain View’s high jumper qualified for state in 2018 but was unable to crack the podium. She wasn’t necessarily content with just making an appearance, but doing so in her first season was certainly a success.
The first-year state draw did a few things for Powell. She learned what a competition of this magnitude looks and feels like; she got over any jitters; and as important as anything, she showed immense potential to her coaches.
It’s what led to a conversation at the beginning of the season that gave Powell the confidence to turn her 13th-place finish into a bronze medal this season. Powell finished third in the girls 4A high jump after clearing 5-4 on Friday.
“This year just started off a lot better than last year,” Powell said. “Just starting at the beginning of the season, my coach was like, ‘You’re going to have a great year.’ I was like, ‘Okay sure,’ and then it happened. I am just so excited to be here and come back next year with years in front of me to do better and push myself.”
The improvement showed throughout the regular season as Powell earned the fourth seed with a personal record of 5-5. She carried the confidence into Jeffco Stadium where she easily cleared her first two jumps. She needed two attempts to beat the 5-4 bar, but when she did, it was testament to her growth in the past year.
“It was awesome, I really wanted to do better than last year because I did not do well,” she said. “Once I cleared that, it was such a nice way to come in.”
Despite coming to Lakewood with the podium on her mind, she still made sure to have fun. With all the waiting required in the high jump, it’s easy for nerves to set in. But the sophomore found plenty of time for handstands, laughs and high fives. And when her day ended on the 5-5 jump, she backflipped her way off the field.
“Since there’s so much waiting, it is nice to have those girls, we all talk together, we’re all friends,” Powell said. “It’s nice to have people you can talk to because you don’t have to be so serious because otherwise it gets really stressful.”
Naranjo sees silver in 3A discus
Coaches can’t be everywhere at once, especially on a track & field team with so many athletes. Even with specialty coaches for certain events, it’s always beneficial to have a helping hand. So when a team has the luxury of athletes taking on an instructional role, everyone’s lives become easier.
That’s how Resurrection Christian coach Jeff Van Winkle feels with discus thrower Elias Naranjo on his team. When teammates need help, the junior offers it. Coaches don’t have to worry about him at practice because he always does what he needs to. And he’s pretty impressive in competition, too.
Naranjo proved as much with a runner-up finish in the boys 3A discus, throwing a distance of 152-7.
“I was glad where I ended up,” Naranjo said. “I threw last year but didn’t place. I’ve just worked really hard this last year with my coach, I’ve done a lot of practice and it paid off. I’m excited to keep improving and work really hard and hopefully win next year.”
As encouraging as his performance on the field is, Naranjo’s emotional control is the most impressive thing to Van Winkle. He never gets too up or too down, and it’s allowed him to flourish his junior season.
“He’s always just so even-keeled. He can have a bad throw at 100 feet or throw it 150 feet and he’s like whatever,” Van Winkle said. “He doesn’t get in his head and he never has that emotional roller coaster. He’s not somebody that needs us (coaches), he’s going to take that on himself and he pours himself into this particular event.”
Colin Barnard: cbarnard@prairiemountainmedia.com or on Twitter @ColinBarnard_
