The warm breeze of a Thursday afternoon could be felt flowing past her, as she ran swiftly to the bar, to perform her high jump. In just what felt like seconds, senior J.J Mason reaches the bar, and then slowly, yet delicately rises from the ground.
She begins to position her body in perfect formation. She feels the warm air brushing up against her face as her slender body soars in the air. Her pettite body lands on the mat, and she lays there enjoying the victory.
“I did it,” she said with a smile appearing on her face.
April 27-28 marked the men’s and women’s track conference at Southwest Junior High School.
Many students had placed in the conference and moved onto state, which was held on May 5 in Conway. Some of those students who had placed and moved onto state included: Valerie Reina, who placed in the two mile run and second mile, Brett Stith who had placed in hurtles and high jump, Evan Veruchhi, who placed in the triple jump and 4 x 1, and J.J Mason, who placed in the high jump, long jump, 100, 200, 4 X 1, and 4 X 2.
” I’m really pumped for this competition, and hopefully I’ll be able to place at state in Conway as well,” said Evan Verucchi.
Many students performed outstandingly at conference, including Mason, who was complimented by many for her outstanding high jump and 200 run.
“It was really cool to see J.J. beat the girls that always won, and see her progress down the track with full speed. She finally got a chance to outshine those who you usually see in the paper,” said Reina.
Excited about her recent accomplishment, senior Mason felt as if her win, was an opportunity for her to shine in State, which could be a chance for more more opportunities in the future.
“I never really thought that I could have accomplished that high jump. I was pretty confident about the competition, but I wasn’t expecting to be in the paper about it. Hopefully this can give me an opportunity for me to receive more scholarships,” said Mason.