COLUMBUS — Shelby’s Madison Henkel made history on Saturday.
The senior long jumper broke the Division III state meet record and the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium record with a leap of 19 feet, 11.5 inches to repeat as state champion.
Five of Henkel’s six jumps were better than 19 feet. Her fifth jump brought a large Shelby contingent stationed at the long jump pit to its feet.
“It felt insane,” Henkel said of the record-breaking leap. “I knew it was a good one.
“My adrenaline was really pumping.”
Henkel won a Division II state title last spring with a leap of 18-9.25. She topped 19 feet once as a junior, but consistently hit the mark this season.
“I knew that I was capable of more,” said Henkel, a Coastal Carolina recruit. “All of my high school years I’ve really put more focus into volleyball. This winter I really focused more on track and getting strong, getting faster.
“I knew coming here that I was capable of more than I did last year.”
Even so, Henkel has never put together a series of jumps like she did during an overcast morning on the state’s biggest stage. Even her worst jump of 18-2.5 would have been good enough to win the title. Runner-up Megan Strong of Tippecanoe topped out at 18-2.
“I think that this stadium, this environment, I always get really amped up at high-pressure moments,” Henkel said. “I think I really rise to the occasion and perform the way that I need to.
“Being here and having this environment really pushes me to do my best.”
Henkel became just the second Shelby female to win multiple state championships. Allison Booth won back-to-back discus titles in 2002 and 2003, adding a state title in the shot in ’03.
“It’s an honor to be a part of that,” Henkel said.
So how does a two-time state champ celebrate?
“I have a big group of supporters here,” Henkel said. “I’m sure we’ll have a big gathering later, some time this week.”
Before then, she and her 4×100 relay teammates were aiming for another state title.
“That’s a better way to celebrate,” Henkel said, “to try to get a second.”