Big Sandy’s Montgomery A Big Favorite At State Track Meet
(Staff Photo By Harold Wilson)
BIG SANDY’S Jazz Montgomery has the best triple jump mark going into the state track and field meet.
By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer
BIG SANDY — Jazz Montgomery makes it a habit to jump in front of the line.
In less than a year, Montgomery mastered the hop, skip and jump routine well enough to earn the Big Sandy junior a return to the state track meet — this time as a solo act.
Montgomery heads into the UIL state track and field championships with the best qualifying mark in the triple jump of 38 feet and three inches — more than a foot better than the rest of the field.
That alone causes for big expectations for the Big Sandy standout, who is set to compete at 7 p.m. on Friday.
As a freshman, Montgomery, whose full first name is Jazzline, ran a leg on Big Sandy’s 400-meter squad that finished second at state. That quartet featured another standout underclassman, Vanity Darty, who transferred to Jacksonville the next year, leaving Montgomery to carry the torch.
As a freshman, Montgomery, whose full first name is Jazzline, ran a leg on Big Sandy’s 400-meter squad that finished second at state. That quartet featured another standout underclassman, Vanity Darty, who transferred to Jacksonville the next year, leaving Montgomery to carry the torch.
Montgomery met the challenge of keeping Big Sandy’s state tradition going. At the district meet, Montgomery collected four gold medals — winning the triple jump and 200-meter dash, and anchoring the 400 and 800 relays to victory.
“I think she’s steady improving,” said Big Sandy coach Brian Pullum. “When she first came it was Vanity leading the pack. Now she’s leading.”
At regionals, Montgomery missed making it to state in the 200 by one spot, finishing third. Still, she dominated the triple jump, winning by more than 14 inches.
At regionals, Montgomery missed making it to state in the 200 by one spot, finishing third. Still, she dominated the triple jump, winning by more than 14 inches.
“My attitude, quickness, speed (has all changed),” said the 17-year old, who has leapt more than 16 feet in the long jump and run a sub-26-second 200. “I used to think I was just going to run. Now I like to set a goal and meet my goals.”
Pullam placed Montgomery in the triple jump because of her “strength,” and because of her ability and versatility.
“She wasn’t going to high jump so I made her do two field events,” Pullam said of Montgomery, who received first-team all-district honors in basketball and also started on the volleyball team. “She’s become more of a leader and getting after people when they weren’t working hard.
Seeing her season down to six jumps, and not any handoffs or sprints, makes Montgomery glad she gave the triple jump a go.
“I tried it then I was doing well at the meets,” said Montgomery, calling jumping more technical than running. “It’s more of a mental thing. On the track you just get in the block and run. (In the triple jump) you can’t change your feet, studder-step or look at the board. Looking at the board was one of my problem. And I’ve been working on my landing.”
Perhaps no other area state qualifier enters the final meet as favored as Montgomery. Only Marlin’s Whitney Loftin, who finished behind Montgomery at regionals, reached 37 feet in getting to state. The rest of the 2A triple jump field, and their qualifying entry, includes Karnes City’s Brittany Kinney (36-5?), Cisco’s Portia Chriesman (36-5?), Colorado City’s Lacresha Johnson (36-3), Italy’s Alex Barajas (36-1?), Shallowater’s Darcy Jones (36-1) and Wallis Brazos’ Jennifer Brandt (35-9?).
Peering down later in the week, Montgomery only envisioned “getting first place,” or in other words, being at the front of the line.
“I have to get my mark, stay focused, don’t stay up late and go to sleep on time,” she said. “It’s a little pressure. But at regionals I was like ‘I should be getting first in this.’”
Pullam agrees.
“If she jumps what she’s capable,” he said, “she should get first.”
NOTES:
The national and Texas state triple jump records belong to Luling’s Ychlindria Spears, who chalked up a 44-2? in 2001. Cisco’s JimAnne Baker owns the 2A record of 41-8?, set in 2002.
Pullam placed Montgomery in the triple jump because of her “strength,” and because of her ability and versatility.
“She wasn’t going to high jump so I made her do two field events,” Pullam said of Montgomery, who received first-team all-district honors in basketball and also started on the volleyball team. “She’s become more of a leader and getting after people when they weren’t working hard.
Seeing her season down to six jumps, and not any handoffs or sprints, makes Montgomery glad she gave the triple jump a go.
“I tried it then I was doing well at the meets,” said Montgomery, calling jumping more technical than running. “It’s more of a mental thing. On the track you just get in the block and run. (In the triple jump) you can’t change your feet, studder-step or look at the board. Looking at the board was one of my problem. And I’ve been working on my landing.”
Perhaps no other area state qualifier enters the final meet as favored as Montgomery. Only Marlin’s Whitney Loftin, who finished behind Montgomery at regionals, reached 37 feet in getting to state. The rest of the 2A triple jump field, and their qualifying entry, includes Karnes City’s Brittany Kinney (36-5?), Cisco’s Portia Chriesman (36-5?), Colorado City’s Lacresha Johnson (36-3), Italy’s Alex Barajas (36-1?), Shallowater’s Darcy Jones (36-1) and Wallis Brazos’ Jennifer Brandt (35-9?).
Peering down later in the week, Montgomery only envisioned “getting first place,” or in other words, being at the front of the line.
“I have to get my mark, stay focused, don’t stay up late and go to sleep on time,” she said. “It’s a little pressure. But at regionals I was like ‘I should be getting first in this.’”
Pullam agrees.
“If she jumps what she’s capable,” he said, “she should get first.”
NOTES:
The national and Texas state triple jump records belong to Luling’s Ychlindria Spears, who chalked up a 44-2? in 2001. Cisco’s JimAnne Baker owns the 2A record of 41-8?, set in 2002.
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