By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

TURNER, Ore.–  Cascade’s Emma Gates took to heart with how last Spring went for her.

With how strong the season started for the now-senior during her junior year, seemingly breaking the Cougars High Jump record on the weekly, she faded late in the season.  Yes her five-foot-six-inch High Jump was good enough to take the 4A State Cumulative Week Title, but it was a far-cry from her being an inch-or-two away from hitting the six-foot mark she was attempting earlier in the season.

But over the off-season,Gates regained and rebuilt her confidence.  She cracked the six-foot mark at the Washington Husky Invitational on February 13.  Won the Pac-12 Invite Meet this past weekend at Seattle.  Two indoor meets as she now prepares for her senior season with Cascade before heading to the University of Arizona in the Fall.

“Most Pac-12 teams were there.  It was my first college meet, it was great.  It was very competitive and I don’t think I’ve been to a meet where the level of competition has been that high before, so it was great yeah,” Gates described it.  “It’s huge to me to be higher (in height) again and now I know I can do it.”

Monday was the first day of the Spring Outdoor Season for the Cougs and Gates as she embarks on one more season with the Black and Gold.  Looking to carry the momentum from the off-season into a more of a normal season.

“I think it’ll help a lot, especially with how short of a season we’ve had.  Last year I didn’t peak in the end, so I’m interested to see how, with a longer season, will help me push through that  middle part and do better at the end,” Gates said.  “I’m hoping it’ll help me more because last year’s meets were really close and I didn’t have a lot of time for recovery.  So I’m hoping a full season of training will help with that.”

Cascade’s first meet of the season will be March 30 at home when they host Sweet Home before traveling to West Salem two days later for the Titan Track Classic.