This wasn?t the way Hills?boro senior envisioned the capstone athletic event of her high school year.
A four-time qualifier in the long jump and triple jump was hampered by a stress facture?but competed any way. She placed ninth in the long jump, but came away with fourth in the triple jump.
?Dakota would be our most inspirational story of the meet as she spent the week on the spin bike while wearing a boot on her foot to heal a fracture on her middle toe,? coach Dennis Boldt said. ?She literally did not jump or put pressure on her foot until Thursday.
?We warmed up, and then she headed to the runway for a few run-throughs to check her step as she switched feet for the state competition.
?I know she was disappointed in her finish, but considering her condition I think it is a testament to her athletic ability to switch takeoff feet and still narrowly miss the finals, placing ninth in the state (in long jump).
?Finishing fourth (in triple jump) is quite an accomplishment on this day,? he added.
