Final long jump gives Brungardt gold medal
OMAHA — Nicole Brungardt’s final long jump attempt didn’t beat Jordan Hooper’s best mark, but it was still enough for the Norfolk Catholic senior to win the Class B girls gold medal Friday at the Nebraska High School Track and Field Championships.
Brungardt tied Hooper’s 18 feet, 2 inches, forcing meet officials to look at their second-best jumps to break the tie. Brungardt’s second best was an 18-0, while Hooper, the Alliance sophomore Super-State basketball player, had a 17-9¾.
Immediately after the competition, Brungardt was uncertain how the tie would be broken.
“I was just hoping I wouldn’t have to jump again,’’ said Brungardt, who qualified for Saturday’s finals in the 100 and 200. It was her first long jump state title.
On her final attempt, “I just kept thinking, ‘this is my last jump, make it count,’’’ added the Wayne State volleyball recruit. “I had scratched on my two previous jumps, so I guess my two negatives made a positive.”
It’s the second straight year Hooper has been passed on the final jump. She led in 2007 until Waverly’s Anne Martin went 17-10½, beating Hooper by ¼ inch. Martin finished third Friday with a 17-9½. The 2006 state champion, Lizzy Mach of Bishop Neumann, finished fifth.
“It’s kind of frustrating getting beat on the last jump again, but I’m happy getting second because there were a lot of good girls jumping,” Hooper said.
Brungardt tied Hooper’s 18 feet, 2 inches, forcing meet officials to look at their second-best jumps to break the tie. Brungardt’s second best was an 18-0, while Hooper, the Alliance sophomore Super-State basketball player, had a 17-9¾.
Immediately after the competition, Brungardt was uncertain how the tie would be broken.
“I was just hoping I wouldn’t have to jump again,’’ said Brungardt, who qualified for Saturday’s finals in the 100 and 200. It was her first long jump state title.
On her final attempt, “I just kept thinking, ‘this is my last jump, make it count,’’’ added the Wayne State volleyball recruit. “I had scratched on my two previous jumps, so I guess my two negatives made a positive.”
It’s the second straight year Hooper has been passed on the final jump. She led in 2007 until Waverly’s Anne Martin went 17-10½, beating Hooper by ¼ inch. Martin finished third Friday with a 17-9½. The 2006 state champion, Lizzy Mach of Bishop Neumann, finished fifth.
“It’s kind of frustrating getting beat on the last jump again, but I’m happy getting second because there were a lot of good girls jumping,” Hooper said.
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