Frimpong steps up, exceeds expectations in the long jump

Print Story

Email to Friend

Discuss this story

BY WILL HANLON

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

COLUMBUS — Canfield junior Audra Frimpong stood along the side of the fence next to the long jump pit waiting to see how far her final opponent would leap.

Standing on the other side of the fence were a few of her friends, anxiously awaiting Frimpong's fate. When her opponent's jump fell short of 19 feet, 61/2 inches, one of Frimpong's friends yelled out, "I'm best friends with the state champion!"

Frimpong became the first area girl to win a Div. I state title since Amber Bland won the high jump as a freshman in 2001.

Previous trips

Frimpong finished fourth in each of her last two trips to state her freshman and sophomore year, but this time she was hoping to break the habit.

"I've been here for the last two years. I was like, it's time to step up and do better," she said.

As far as her expectations, Frimpong said she was shocked that she finished in first.

"I was just wishing and praying that I would at least finish in the top three," Frimpong started. "I just wanted to break my PR [personal record]."

She did finish in the top three. She did break her PR. Frimpong, on Saturday, was on top of the world.

Frimpong's friends weren't her only audience. Her mother, Florence, came racing down from the bleachers to jump into her daughter's arms to join in on the celebration.

"She jumped her best jump today, so we're all very happy. Whenever she gets challenged she does better," Mrs. Frimpong said. "We always encourage her to be the best that she can be."

Saturday, that's exactly what she was: the best.

Setbacks

After her fourth-place finish last year, Frimpong said she suffered a stress fracture sometime at the end of last season as well as a stomach ulcer at the beginning of this one.

"It seemed like everything was just going bad," Frimpong said. "After that I did really bad running and everything."

Despite her bad luck, Frimpong said she eventually worked her way back to normal. The scary thing is, she still has one year left.

Could we see a repeat?

"I hope so," Frimpong said with a smile.

Sunday, June 3, 2007