Although her approach to the triple jump this year is slightly different, Greenfield's Julie Hebert hopes the results are the same as last year.
In fact, maybe even better.
After claiming the WIAA Division 1 state championship in the event last spring with a leap of 38 feet-1/4 inch, Hebert tweaked her strategy a bit this season. "I've been controlling my speed," she said. "Last year, I went at a full-out sprint and this year, I'm using an alternate speed, somewhat slower. I want to use the top speed I can and still keep control."
The results have been good, as the senior currently holds the top mark in the state at 39-4 3/4, achieved at the Hartland Arrowhead Invitational.
Her goal heading into the state meet this weekend at Memorial Stadium in La Crosse is not only to repeat the championship, but break the state record of 39-7 3/4, set back in 1987. "I think my chances are good," she said. "I jumped well at Arrowhead and I've just gotten stronger since then."
Her coach, Rob Graetz, is optimistic too. "Julie is probably one of the hardest-working athletes I've coached in my career," he said. "She's had a great year in jumps. If she jumps the way she wants to jump and everything feels good, she should be successful when it comes to the tournament."
Hebert will compete in both the triple and long jumps with teammate Maureen Podkomorski as well as in the 200-meter dash. Alyssa Evans will take part in the high jump to round out Greenfield's contingent of six entries at state. That's an impressive number, given that the Hustlin' Hawks had just 20 to 25 girls on the varsity roster this season.
