By: Carissa Zawiski/Editor in Chief
Blue Ridge senior Ryan Mills set a school record with a mark of 43 feet, 1.5 inches in the triple jump at a track meet on Monday, April 26th against Mountain View.
Mills states, “It was a long time coming, but it was all worth it.”
He also says, “special thanks to my coach Jody Stanley for helping me through it all.”
Jumping coach Jody Stanley says that he has been working with Ryan since he was in the seventh grade.
“He was jumping distances in seventh grade that compared to a typical ninth-grade jumper. This doesn’t happen often.”
Stanley thinks highly of Mills’ dedication.
“Ryan’s best quality is his attitude. He’s taken this challenge from day one and has never looked back. The goal was to break the record and he did. He is a pleasure to work with and given the attitude he has, this will take him to great heights in life.”
Stanley adds: “For other athletes, I’d tell them to set a distance goal and strive to beat that distance first. With hard serious practice the better distances will happen. Most of all, have fun. If you enjoy it, it’s not work.”
Photo Credit: David Wolfe
