There’s no doubt that Lyons senior Emma Haugen wants to add a third state title in the high jump to her resume.
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She hopes to achieve that by jumping 5-feet-9, or higher.
Haugen burst onto the track and field scene as a freshman by winning the Class 3A state title with a jump of 5-7. That season she cleared 5-8 for the first time.
As a sophomore, she took second at state at 5-8, then captured the state title again last year at 5-7.
The IHSA record of 5-11 was set by Melinda Morris of Tri-City in 1980. The last large-school athlete to clear 5-9 at the girls state meet was Sterling’s Nicole Williams, who jumped 5-10.75 in 2003.
Haugen has shown progress every year, but putting together the perfect jump has been elusive.
“I know I’m right there,” Haugen said. “I’ve been over the bar at that (5-9) height so many times and I barely miss it, clipping it at the end with my leg or a toe.”
Haugen got off to a good start during the indoor season. She remained healthy and leaped 5-8 to win the West Suburban Silver Indoor meet on March 20 at York.
She and the Lions are set to head outdoors Saturday for the Downers Grove South Invitational.
Staying healthy will play an important factor during Haugen’s pursuit of 5-9. Last year she battled a sprained ankle for much of the season.
She’s trying to find her rhythm after adapting last season to competing in pain. She feels like she doing well and is able to clear her hips at 6 feet. Now it’s a matter of finishing and she thinks she knows what to fix.
“It must be my approach,” Haugen said. “I had my sprained ankle last year so I’m adjusting to being healthy. This is the first time I’ve really been healthy since my freshman year and I feel so much more confident in myself.”
Lyons coach Greg Frandsen is video recording her jumps this year and he shows — instead of just explains — what’s not quite right.
She also has worked on her fitness.
“We’ve done a little more strength training and making sure the approach and all the steps are correct,” Frandsen said. “She’s looked a lot smoother this year and she had great attempts at 5-10 (earlier last month). She basically caught it with her legs all three times.”
Haugen showed her athleticism at the WSC meet by also winning the 55-meter hurdles by more than a half-second in 8.8 seconds, and taking first in the triple jump (36-6.25) by almost a foot and a half.
“I was really happy with how I did,” Haugen said. “It’s stressful running at York. I don’t really like the track, but I was feeling good. After high jump I was excited I did 5-8 again and I felt really pumped for the whole meet. I got tired at the end but I still felt good.”
While her versatility is a blessing, it also keeps her moving. At the indoor meet, her three victories contributed 30 points to Lyon’s third-place score of 83.
“It seems like I’m always running between two or three different events and I’m always changing my shoes,” Haugen said. “Even though it’s ridiculous, I love doing all my events. I would never want to just be a high jumper. Being a runner and being on relays is so much fun because I get to hang out with so many different girls. Just doing high jump would be lonely.”
Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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