SHELBY — For Shelby’s Madison Henkel, the standard is the standard.
Nothing less than 19 feet will do.
The reigning Division II outdoor and indoor state champ in the long jump, Henkel recalibrated her expectations this spring. The early returns have been favorable.
Henkel broke her own meet record and established a new personal best with a leap of 19-5.5 at the 94th annual Mansfield Mehock Relays.
“I’m not happy unless I get (19 feet),” Henkel said after winning her third Mehock long jump gold. “My standards are pretty high for myself.”
Unofficially, Henkel is one of just two Ohio jumpers to top 19 feet this spring. Solon’s Samantha Singleton has the state’s top outdoor mark (19-6).
What’s more, Henkel has only jumped outdoors three times this season. An injury delayed the start of her outdoor season.
“I’ve had some hamstring problems over the last few weeks so I’be been really just trying to (rehab) that.
“Being out for a little bit with an injury is discouraging. Going back and getting … a PR is a great confidence boost.”
Championship pedigree
Considering her résumé, confidence shouldn’t be an issue. She will graduate in June as one of the most decorated track athletes in program history.
As a freshman in 2023, Henkel placed fifth at the Division II state meet with a jump of 17-9.75. She moved up two spots on the state podium as a sophomore in 2024, finishing third with a leap of 18-2.75.
That set the stage for 2025. Henkel won the state title with a jump of 18-9.25 — the best effort at state regardless of division.
She won the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches indoor state meet title with a jump of 18-10.5 at Spire Academy in early-March.
A week later, she went to the Nike Indoor Nationals in New York and placed ninth with a leap of 19-2.25.
“I definitely got a target on my back, so it’s only motivating to me,” Henkel said. “I mean, I’ve got high standards for myself.”
Henkel isn’t just looking to make Shelby history. The Division II state meet record is 19-11, set by Highland’s Juliette Laracuente-Huebner in 2023.
“If I could hit that 20-foot (jump), that’s my all-time goal,” Henkel said. “That’s been my high school goal forever.
“Everything has got to be lined up good. My steps, my muscles have got to be feeling good. If I do the right prep work I think I can reach it.”
Coastal living
Henkel committed to Division I Coastal Carolina in December. She first visited the campus near Myrtle Beach in September.
“We went to a football game and I sat with the girls on the team and got to meet them. They were all super-nice,” Henkel said of her recruiting experience. “It just felt like I fit in there — and it’s warm there.”
Henkel plans to major in health science at Coastal. She would like to become a physician’s assistant.
Before then, she has unfinished business this spring.
“I’m just excited for this season,” Henkel said. “To win (a second outdoor state title) would be incredible. I have to push myself every day.”