DeleteHOISINGTON — Drive and determination propelled Hoisington High School long jumper Savannah Rose to a Class 3A state championship at the 6-1A state track and field championship last year.
This season, Rose has qualified for the state meet in the long jump, triple jump, 400-meter dash and 4x400 relay along with Abbi Demel, Jordin Greer and Lexi Sanders.
The state meet will be held Friday and Saturday in Wichita at Wichita State University’s Cessna Stadium.
Rose’s drive stems from one thing — her dislike of losing.
“I hate losing,” Rose said. “I just can’t stand it, and I love jumping. It’s one of my favorite things to do, so I work really hard because I don’t want to lose at something that I enjoy this much.”
Rose has been to the state meet all four years of her high school career, and expectations are high for her final outing.
“She’s a great leader, and she’s done a great job all four years,” Hoisington head coach Mike Richter said. “She was a state champion last year, and we expect one more or two more. She might get all four of them. She’s that talented.
“She’s got one of the best triple jumps in the state. I think there’s only a couple of girls ahead of her in the long jump, so I see great things.”
Jamie Lovett of Sedgwick holds the top state-qualifying distance in the long jump at 17 feet, 7 3/4 inches. Rose sits in third at 17-3.
Sailing 37-9, Rose is the third seed in the triple jump as well. The distance is a school record.
“I broke it my freshman year with 36-6, and I broke it again last year with 37-2,” Rose said. “I’ve broken it five times this year. I just keep breaking it, so 37-9 is the record as of now. I’m going to get it farther at state.”
Richter said that while several schools were interested in Rose, the distance jumper landed on Fort Hays State.
“She’s been this dominant pretty much all four years of her career, but last year, she became really a star triple jumper and long jumper,” Richter said. “She’s had several big-time schools calling me up asking about her, and she’s going to Hays. I just wish I had her back.”