HIGH SCHOOL

Galion freshman wins regional high jump title

Jon Spencer

LEXINGTON – Galion freshman Marisa Gwinner was able to hold her head high Thursday because she leaned her head back.

That little tweak in her technique enabled Gwinner to clear 5 feet, 4 inches on her third and final try as she survived that little scare to win a Division II regional high jump title at Lexington High School.

Gwinner’s winning height was 5-7, which was matched by Paula Wollenslegel, of Clyde. Gwinner won with one fewer miss.

“I’m a little worn out from the heat,” she said. “I jumped every height (after entering at 5 feet) and probably tried to push it too much.”

After clearing 5-0, 5-2 and 5-3 on her first attempts, things got a little sticky when Gwinner missed her first two tries at 5-4. She had already clinched a berth in next week’s state meet since there were only four girls left at that height, but qualifying at 5-2 probably wouldn’t have sat well with the young Tiger sensation.

After all, she has ranked No. 1 in the state (all divisions) virtually the entire spring with her jump at the Shelby Invitational of 5-8.5. For a couple of weeks, it stood as the top jump by a freshman in the entire nation.

Gwinner huddled with her coach before her final crack at 5-4, watched some video, and got things figured out.

She cleared the bar with ease on her third jump and then did the same on her first try at 5-5. She missed once at 5-6 and made 5-7 on her first attempt.

“I’ve been having trouble getting my head back enough, which I need to do to bring my hips up more,” she said. “It’s definitely a relief (to live up to expectations) but I know all of the girls here (competing) and we’re all supportive of each other.”

Gwinner spent much of the winter with one of her feet in a boot after suffering a high ankle sprain competing indoors. The injury put a damper on her varsity basketball season, but in retrospect, she said she feels the jumping she did indoors helped paved the way to her outdoor success.

“It prepared me so much,” she said. “It gave me a feel for competing against different people. But right now, I’m just focusing on myself. I’m trying to stay calm, in a zone, and not worrying too much.”

Gwinner, who owns the area’s best long jump of 17-9, will compete in that event Saturday when the bulk of the finals are staged. The only running finals held Thursday were the boys and girls 4x800 meter relay.

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