The gun goes off to start the race, but junior Jeanette Morley isn’t on the line. Her competition isn’t one of time, but rather height. This year, Morley has set York records in the high jump for the girls track team, and her final goal is lofty, pun intended.

Her indoor season was extremely successful, with an improvement of 4 inches from her previous personal record. In the beginning of her outdoor season, she again achieved a new record of 5’6’’, which is 7 inches higher than last season.

Although the goal of high jumping sounds self-explanatory, it also involves a great deal of speed, and Morley’s workout routine involves two to three days of jumping and three to four days of running each week. With such rigorous training, the athlete draws inspiration from all around her.

“The team is a very big inspiration to me,” said Morley. “The coaches all really want you to do your best, so they are always doing everything they can to make us better.”

Although all of the coaches have different ways of inspiring their athletes, Morley mentioned her experiences when working with Annette Schulte, who’s coaching her last year as the girls’ sprints coach before retiring.

“Coach Schulte is always coming up with new ways to motivate us,” said Morley. “From printing out inspirational quotes to post on our bulletin board, to telling stories from some of her previous athletes’ successes.”

However, Morley didn’t credit only the coaches with all of her success; her teammates have become her best friends and have really motivated her to push herself harder.

“I have my best friends on this team, and despite all the ups and downs of the season, they are always there showing their love and support,” said Morley. “ It really is like one big family.”

Although the athlete credits her team for all of her accomplishments, she knows that success can only be achieved with high levels of dedication and discipline.

“I don’t get very intimidated by my competition very much,” said Morley. “I really focus on beating myself because you never know what kind of day your competition is having. If you focus on the fact that someone is better than you, you will never be better than them. I really drive myself mentally in that way.”

With such support and commitment, Morley is able to envision herself making vast improvements and is making impressive goals regarding the state competition.

“I can see myself jumping 3 or 4 inches higher if I keep training like I am,” said Morley. “I also hope to make it to state this year.” 

The girls track team has worked hard this season, and Jeanette Morley’s success has brought her team to great heights.