Article Contributed on: 5/16/2009 8:42:28 AM
Accomplished Horizon High School basketball star
Rachel Bollinger has staked her claim in the Long Jump pits of 2009! After qualifying for the Colorado State Track and Field Event last Friday at the Front Range Conference Track and Field Meet with a jump of sixteen feet, eight inches; Rachel made her third consecutive State Track and Field appearance on Thursday of this week.
When asked why she had shown to only four previous meets this year, Rachel jokingly replied; "Well, I've been a bit 'Tied-Up!'' When asked to elaborate, she said; "I received ten stitches in the forehead and a mild concussion a few weeks ago after a head injury during a competitive basketball league game with the Colorado Elite! I also lost out on a couple meets in the front end of the season, because of our games in the State Basketball Tournament. When the head injury came I was not sure I was going to complete the track season this year."
Rachel's jump on Friday of last week ranked her tenth in the State and won her Second Team All Conference, in the Front Range League. "I've jumped in the high sixteen's, low seventeen's before, but had a hard time making it stick at meets that counted" Rachel commented. Rachel's first place lead at the conference competition slipped to second after a final surprising jump from Monarch High School's, Kaleigh Humphrey.
At the State competition on Thursday, Rachel's preliminary jump of sixteen feet, nine and one half inches ranked her eighth in State going into the finals. "I knew before I hit the board, my first jump in the finals was not going to be my best; however, it ranked me second at the time." Though her first jump eventually slipped to third after the first flight was complete, Rachel's second flight jump of seventeen feet, one and one quarter inches quickly moved her to the first place slot. "It was Brittany Lewis' jump of eight feet and one half inches that sealed the deal for her and me. I just couldn't see adding on another foot to my final jump."
Rachel finished the State competition on Thursday with her second jump in the finals being her "Personal Record" of 2009! Rachel Bollinger wraps up her junior year at Horizon High School with: Second Team All State in Track and Field; Second Team All Conference in Track and Field; Girls Basketball Front Range League Champion; Girls Basketball Champion, Nike Tournament of Champions; and with a 25-2 season at the Colorado State Girls Basketball Final-Four.
If you'd like more information about Rachel Bollinger or would like to schedule an interview, contact Rob at: 720-635-7659 or email at: rob.bollinger@comcast.net