By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
GRESHAM, Ore.– For the last time, North Marion’s Mar Verastegui competed in the dark green of the Huskies colors Saturday afternoon.
She points out that it was a tough day for her for sure to the high standards that she has competing in the Triple Jump entering on the final day of her High School career, reaching the final round of the event at Mount Hood Community College.
For her, to be at the State Meet for three straight years, placing seventh as a Junior in the Triple Jump and was 14th in the Long Jump as a sophomore at the State Meet and winning a District Title in the Triple Jump this season, is something not too many people could say they’ve done during their High School career.
“It’s just great to get to be here again. Not too many people have the opportunity to have it three-times, wherever you place is an accomplishment all in itself I think,” said Verastegui.
Verastegui felt like mentally like she wasn’t there, that she was off in her game with the Triple Jump being one of the final events of the day. But Verastegui battled through it and placed eighth in 4A with a jump of 33-feet-3-inches.
“I just had to fight through that and focus on my jumping and my technique,” said Verastegui. “I think I could have done better at fighting through that, but at the end I’m happy with where I jumped. Any athlete is happy to be here, so I’m happy with that.”
Tanner Manning placed second with a monster 173-foot-7-inch PR to close out his sophomore year on Saturday. Parker Barton was 11th in the Triple Jump with a 38-feet-3.75-inch jump also on Saturday.
