COLUMBUS — Finishing ninth at last year’s Division III state track-and-field meet in the high jump, only fueled the desire of Ottoville’s Brooke Mangas to get on to the awards podium.
After Friday’s competition in the high jump at the Division III state meet at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Mangas found herself at the very top of the podium as she took first place with a winning height of 5 feet, 8 inches.
Mangas, a sophomore, went on to attempt to break the state record on Friday, but could not clear 5-9 ¼. The D-III state record is 5-9.
“It’s just overwhelming,” Mangas said. “It’s so exciting. I’ve wanted it all year. …Especially with last year, not getting what I hoped for. I wanted the gold so bad.”
Mangas said she realized after last season that she needed to work on some things if she wanted to improve this season.
“I guess last year I wasn’t as consistent,” she said. “So, this year I worked a lot harder on my approach and made sure I did everything I needed to in order to be the best that I can be. …But there’s always room for improvement.
“This year, I felt like I pushed myself a little harder, because I knew I could jump higher. When I got 5-8 (earlier in the season), I was ecstatic. …So, not getting it for a while and then getting it again today, I was so happy.”
Looking ahead, Mangas knows that defending her title next season will not be easy. However, she is definitely up for the challenge.
“I know I want to get back to state and improve on my performance,” she said with a smile.
Lincolnview’s Hannah McCleery placed sixth in the high jump with a clearance of 5-4.
Upper Scioto Valley’s Brittany Holbrook finished ninth overall (5-2).
