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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. Briarcliff High School's Madeline Zimmerman jumped to double success this week, qualifying for the New York State Public Schools Meet in the long jump Thursday and the triple jump Friday at White Plains High School.
"I didn't make the qualifying distance last year in either event, and this year I'm going to states for both," Zimmerman said after hitting her marks to take the triple jump Friday. "I'm excited to be representing my team. It's a great feeling."
Zimmerman, a junior jumper who also runs with the Briarcliff track team, is following in the steps of her older brother Harry, a senior high jumper and long jumper who injured an ankle and could not compete in the Section 1 qualifier. Harry placed fifth in the state high jump at last year's spring outdoor meet.
"Harry is a motivator for me," Zimmerman said of her older sibling. "He's got so much passion and energy, and I'm kind of quiet and more focused on technique. We're opposites, but he really inspired me to do better."
Madeline, a junior, said she was most concerned with hitting her marks Friday, especially after fouling on her first two jumps.
"I know I can get the distance, but I try to keep a positive mindset and keep my speed," Zimmerman said. "At the state meet, I'm looking to get my personal records 17 feet or more in the long jump and 37 or better in the triple. But it's great to be going."
Although Harry is in a cast and nursing his injury before heading to college in Arizona in the fall, Madeline will carry the family standard to the state meet and challenge the pit for Briarcliff.
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