Jones sets record at regionals, keeping open mind heading into state

Mikalah Jones is peaking at the most opportune moment.
Heading into her final high school meet in Casper this weekend, the Glenrock senior is poised to climb the podium against the best track and field athletes in Wyoming. At the 2A East Regional in Torrington on Friday, Jones claimed victor in the discus throw with a personal record toss of 115 feet.
“I just went in there relaxed,” Jones said. “I knew it was one of my last meets so I said to myself, ‘I just have to go for it.’ Coach Collier is always telling me that and everything just kind’ve came together and clicked.”
It had been raining off and on in Torrington that day. Temperatures dropped after a wave of spring-like weather, but with a well practiced technique, Jones didn’t falter.
The first place toss surpassed her previous best by six feet and broke the school record of 114 feet, set in 2011. As it stands, it’s the throw that epitomizes the difference between her junior season and present day.
Jones topped out at 98 feet, 6.25 inches during the early stages of last season. At the Glen Legler Invitational in mid-March, she began the season with a throw of 102 feet, 3 inches. Then came the 115-foot heave on Friday.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on my release and flexibility this season,” Jones noted.
And it’s paying off like clockwork. She heads into day one of the state meet today with the farthest qualifying throw in 2A.
The final meet of Jones’ high school career will be her fourth time qualifying for state. Each of the three previous years, she qualified and competed in shot put. But she doesn’t seem phased by that. She’ll compete in both events this year and with three years of state meet experience, she feels more in control this time around.
“You definitely have to keep your mind open,” she said. “Sometimes I let my nerves get to me and say to myself, ‘ugh, these girls can really throw.’ But I have to remember that I can throw too.”
The soon-to-be graduate will throw her final shot put for Glenrock this weekend before walking across the stage at graduation on Sunday.
Jones is focused on the ultimate prize but hasn’t forgotten about everything that will transpire during the next few days.
“I’ve definitely taken notice of everything during the past few meets,” Jones said, referring to the final days of her senior season. “People have been coming up to me and saying, ‘hey, you’re a senior, this is it.’ It’s all starting to sink in and hit me.”
Her time on the Herders’ track and field team has been much more than just an after school activity for Jones. She’s grown to appreciate the community and the relationships that it’s presented her with.
For Jones, that community extends far beyond Glenrock.
“Everyone’s always been so kind and respectful,” Jones said. “I love going to meets and getting to talk with the other competitors. It’s really been a fun community to be a part of.”
The gracious thrower doesn’t appear to be dwelling on the end of the road. Rather, an aura of embrace can be gleaned from her outlook and admiration for the sport.
She has one final opportunity to represent the purple and white. And on a larger scale, a track and field community that’s provided her with joy.
“I’m focused on going in and competing as hard as I can,” Jones said. “I just need to stay relaxed and try not to get in my head.”

2A STATE MEET
Jones is one of five female Herders who will compete in individual events in Casper this weekend.
Annelise Clark will represent Glenrock in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles and the 400-meter race. She will also compete in the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 relays. It will be her second time running the 300-meter hurdles at state, where she set a personal record and placed fourth.
Teammate Paige James will also join Clark in the 400 after qualifying with a time of 1:06.62.
In the dreaded 3,200-meter race, Yesi Hermosillo qualified with personal best time of 13:56.07, which she set at the regional meet in Torrington. It will be her first time running in an individual event at state.
In the field events, Elexis Ruimveld qualified for the pole vault after clearing a personal best height of seven feet, 10 inches in Torrington.