It's not like other sports - you don't cross the finish line, there is nobody a step in front of you. Your obstacle is gravity. This is the life of a high jumper. The clock isn't your enemy, the law of science is.
Last year, senior Lusha Alzner raised the bar on the competition to claim the state high jump title as a junior with only two years' of track experience.
Last year's high jump finals came down to two athletes: Alzner and Darby Sasek of Big Sky. It was a cold and windy day and both had missed on three attempts at 5'4". The competition went into extra rounds. Sasek missed on her fourth attempt. Finally, Alzner cleared the bar on her fourth for the title.
Coach Joe Antonietti thinks Alzner has a good to repeat as champion.
"This year the competition will be very good in the girls high jump," said Antonietti. But "Lusha will be one of the best jumpers in the state ."
Said Alzner: "The high jump is my favorite," said Alzner. "I like the feeling of flying through the air."