AUSTIN — Third time’s a charm.
The adage is thrown out left and right nowadays, with it not always ringing true.
For Harlingen High senior Jazmine Thomspon, however, the saying couldn’t be more accurate.
After three state meet appearance Thompson is finally a state champion, capturing the gold in the Class 6A shot put during Day 3 of the UIL state track and field championships Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
The podium finish marked the first of Thompson’s career in three state meet appearances, never finishing higher than sixth prior to today.
“It feels amazing,” Thompson said. “I’ve been working for this for three years. Finally coming here and getting the gold, third time’s a charm.”
Thompson sat on the outside of a podium finish through the first round of throws in the event, recording a mark 42-11.25 on her first attempt to put her in fourth.
The Wake Forest signee let it all out on her second attempt, however, shouting a battle cry heard across the stadium en route to her new PR.
“I’ve been through it,” Thompson said. “Senior year was hard. I guess I just let everything come out of me on that throw. It was kind of an accident. After I realized it was good. I just ended up breaking out.”
The throw put Thompson in first through two rounds of attempts and the rest was history, with the senior thrower never relinquishing the top spot again.
Thompson’s mark was nearly two feet further than her previous personal best of 45-10.75 inches set during the regional meet two weeks ago.
The throw was also over a foot further than the next closest competitor, with Klein Cain’s Tirea Reed coming in second with a mark of 46-04.5.
“I felt really excited after that,” Thompson said. “Like I’ve said before third time’s a charm. This was my moment. I came and seized it.”
Thompson wrapped up her high school throwing career during the afternoon’s throwing events, competing in the Class 6A girls discus.
After a shaky start, which included Thompson scratching on two of her first three attempts, the Wake Forest signee battled back from the bottom of the standings to finish sixth with a mark of 142-06.
Thompson nearly placed herself at the podium during her final throw of the day, but the attempt was ultimately not measured due to it being labeled a scratch.
The Wake Forest signee finishes her career as three-time state qualifier, while also heading to the collegiate ranks as a state champ.
