HARLINGEN — Harlingen High sophomore Jazmine Thompson has solidified herself as one of the best throwers in the Rio Grande Valley and Region IV.
Thompson qualified for the Class 6A UIL state track & field meet as a regional champion in the shot put and runner-up in the discus.
“It is exciting,” she said. “Just to be able to go there as a sophomore, that is super exciting for me. I am just excited about the overall experience. If I do good, that is a big deal, too.”
The progression throughout the season is apparent in Thompson’s throws. At her first meet, Donna High’s Earl Scott Relays, her best discus throw was 100 feet, 9 inches. At the regional meet, she hit 133-8 in the discus.
Thompson finished with a throw of 35-3 at the Donna event in the shot put. At the area meet, her shot put throw of 41-7.5 inches was her personal best on the season. She needed only 40-3 inches to be the regional champ.
Thompson has achieved a lot this season, but her coach, Hickel Woolery, said Thompson is still a work in progress.
“I always say she is a work in progress,” he said. “She is a work in progress because she is still learning. When I got her, her technique was not good at all, but I have been building her up, block by block. It has really just been technique work, just to get her a foundation.”
Woolery said Thompson is progressing really well in their first year working together. All of her gains on her throws are examples of that progress, Woolery said.
The season will not be over after UIL state track & field meet. Thompson will head to Oregon to compete in the Nike Outdoor Nationals.
“I want to get my name on the map,” she said about the Nike event.
Thompson has an opportunity to place in the shot put at the state meet. The best throw from all of the state qualifiers is 43-7. Woolery said Thompson can have an advantage throwing first, as a good throw could put pressure on her opponents to do well.
The sophomore thanked her team and coaches for helping her this season.
“I am really proud of my team this season, they did amazing things this season,” Thompson said. “I would not be here without the support of my coaches. They have been with me since Day 1, and I would not be here without them.”
