Track and Field | Snohomish senior Jessica Yates ready for big leap

Jessica Yates won't let herself forget.

Not after coming up less than two inches short.

Not after having better jumps the previous weeks.

Not after underperforming in the biggest meet of the year.

To remind Snohomish's senior triple-jumper about her runner-up finish at last year's Class 4A state track and field meet in Pasco, Yates printed out the results and posted them in her bedroom next to her mirror. She can't possibly miss them.

"I'm focused on the No. 1 spot," she said. "I'm ready to get first this year and focus all my energy toward that."

After a disappointing second-place finish at state in the triple jump — Stanwood jumper Rachele Kloke's mark of 38 feet bested Yates' 37 feet, 10 ¼ inches — Yates is more motivated than ever and has the talent to be a state champion in multiple events.

The motivation started last May, after Yates jumped well below her capabilities. In the weeks before state, she jumped 38 feet or more three times.

"I have high expectations for myself," said Yates. "When I feel I should be doing better and I'm not, it's really frustrating."

Said Panthers head coach Tuck Gionet: "It was real disappointing for her not to win it. She was really devastated. She felt it was her meet to win. That got her thinking, 'What can I do differently?' "

How about focus solely on track?

Yates, a former three-sport athlete (she plays volleyball in the fall), ditched basketball this school year to put all of her attention on track. She has spent months training and getting in proper track shape.

"When you play basketball, you get in a different type of shape," she said.

The results have been great so far. The 5-11 Washington State recruit had an indoor mark of 39-8 last month in a meet hosted by Washington State, smashing her previous best of 38-10.

"It was a good day, I guess," she said.

Triple jump isn't the only event Yates wants to win at state. She's also a very good long jumper (eighth at state last year, and a season-best of 17-4) and high jumper (best of 5-2). In Snohomish's two meets this season, she has won all three events. She'll even take a shot at javelin sometime soon.

But her focus is the triple jump.

"You could tell off the bat, that'd be her event," said Jerrod Akins, a 13-year assistant track coach who works specifically with the long and triple jumpers. "She has speed and power, two ingredients in triple jump."

Aside from the state championship, Yates wants to hit the 40-foot mark — something only four girls in state history have done. After her remarkable 39-8 last month, it seems possible.

But can she hit 40 when it counts, at the state meet?

"Their athleticism takes them to a point," said Gionet, in his 18th year, "then it becomes the heart and the mental aspects that separates the good ones from the great ones. She has the potential to become a great one. It all depends on how she approaches the season from a maturity standpoint."

Even though it's early in the season, Yates' approach seems very good. She is dedicated to becoming a star jumper.

"I always have a very competitive nature, but this year is over the top," she said. "I'm really focused on what I want."

If the motivation pays off, when Yates looks in the mirror in late May, she won't see a sheet of posted results.

She'll see a state champion.