Charleston – A year ago Richwood’s Carlee Dillard, then a junior, finished runner-up in long jump at the Class A state track meet.
In the same spot this year, she grabbed gold.
Dillard reached a height of 5-foot-2, claiming the Class A high jump title Saturday afternoon at Laidley Field in Charleston.
Dillard bested Wheeling Central Alexa Loy, who she lost to last year.
“I wanted to make sure I was last to jump because it always gives me a better mindset when I’m seeing everybody go before me,” Dillard said. “So I made sure that was gonna happen. And then last night, I just looked at all the rankings from regionals. And I was like, ‘If I can jump at least five-foot I got something.”
Dillard stumbled on her first attempt to clear five feet, clearing it on her second. After that 5-foot-2 came easier as she cleared it on her first attempt.
Before jumping, Dillard had to participate in the 300-meter hurdles, an event that took place simultaneously. There was concern she wouldn’t have enough juice left for the high jumps but it seemingly worked in her favor.
“I was very worried about it,” Dillard laughed. “I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to come back and jump.’ But I think the hurdles actually helped a lot because it got my legs nice and warm. Last year it was raining and I got really cold. That was probably one of the mistakes I did make or my part but I think hurdles definitely helped a lot with me being able to jump today.”
Dillard is the second high jump champion from Nicholas County this year as Nicholas County High School junior Adrienne Truman won the Class AA title after finishing in the same spot Dillard did last season in her respective class.
“I guess it’s just a competition to beat each other when we see each other meets,” Dillard laughed. “You got to jump a certain height and she’s got to jump too. It really helps a lot. And then you just root for each other when you get down here.”
