Many of you know Aliyah Carter, ‘20, the crazy good athlete who was all over the Telegraph Herald during volleyball season. Carter decided to go out for track this spring and has accomplished some amazing things in that sport, too. Among those things was winning the state long jump championship with a leap of 18 feet.

“I went out for track to stay fit and try something different,” Carter said, and in the process, she ran in the distance medley, the 4×200 and 4×100 relays. Her teammates and coaches were excited that Carter decided to go out for track. “I was so happy that Aliyah joined out the program. It gave her an opportunity to showcase her athleticism.  She is the person who dedicates herself to be the best no matter what she does,” said Mr. Tim Berning, head track and field coach.

Aliyah also jumped high and long.  At first, didn’t like high jump, and I really didn’t want to do it, but as the season went on and I got better at it, I started to fall in love with jumping. I’ve always loved long jump, but I never knew how good I could get at it. My goal next season is to get 19 feet and break the 3A state record,” said Carter.

Carter qualified for the Drake Relays but sadly couldn’t go because of a volleyball tournament. “I really wanted to go to Drake because it was a big deal, but volleyball always comes first and my volleyball team needed me at this tournament,” said Carter.

Carter did make it to state with many more events. At districts, she long jumped with an 18’10” jump, which broke the school record, ran the 200 in the distance medley and high jumped with 5’1” to make it to state for all events. “Districts was a big deal for me because I got my PR in the long jump and it felt really good,” said Carter.

Carter did very well at state, considering it was her first year in track. She placed first at long jump, placed seventh in high jump with a leap of 5’3” and fifth with the distance medley. “State was amazing. I didn’t come into state thinking that I was going to place in high jump, so when I got my personal record and placed, I was really pumped.”

“In long jump, my main goal was just to run and jump. I knew if I thought about it too much, I wouldn’t do so good,” said Carter. “I’m was super excited about how the team and I finished at state and I can’t wait for next season,” said Carter.