Washington native takes first in state track event last week

Like a lot of athletes at the state track and field meet, North Polk junior Maria Gorham was looking for gold.

Washington native Gorham, the granddaughter of Jim and Karen Gorham of Washington, earned that first-place medal in Des Moines in the Class 3A high jump.

She won with a jump of 5 feet, 8 inches, setting a class record in the process. Gorham also won the Drake Relays title in April with a jump of 5-7.

?It was really exciting for me,? she said. ?Honestly, I wasn?t sure I had it in me but it was really cool to have the opportunity and win something like that for my school.?

Her coach at North Polk gave her the encouragement to go the distance. ?He told me that I could succeed and win,? Gorham said. ?It was just something that I hadn?t thought of that much until that point.?

After she had ended her competition, Gorham was excited to find out she set a record. ?I still can?t believe it,? she said.

When going for the record, the atmosphere in the stadium is different.

?It?s really energetic,? Gorham said. ?The people from the stands encouraging you and even my competitors are encouraging me to jump high and it?s a really positive atmosphere, actually.?

At times, the announcer will draw attention to what is happening in the high-jump area. Knowing many eyes were upon her didn?t affect her jumps. ?It is a lot more pressure, but I think, sometimes I think it can help just to know that there are a lot of people watching,? she said.

?Sometimes it helps you jump higher. It?s like an adrenaline rush. It gives you an additional boost.?

Her coaches are the ones who wanted her to take part in the event, Gorham said. ?My coaches looked at me and told me I would be good for the high jump,? she said. ?Honestly, I had never really tried it until my freshman year and I was ?voluntold? to do the high jump, but I?m really glad they told me to do it.?

As far as setting a goal for next year, Gorham would love to beat her record.

?I?d like to give it a try,? she said. ?I will give it my best shot and see what happens.?

The junior not only participated in the high jump, but also put in some time on the track.

She ran the third leg of the distance medley, helping her team to finish in fourth place.

Gorham is the daughter of Angela McCright and David Gorham and is originally from Washington.

She is grateful for everyone?s encouragement this season, even those who know her from Washington.

?Thanks for supporting me,? she said.