CLOVIS—Christopher’s Ally Foster has hit 18 feet in the long jump before, but her previous attempts have always been scratches. Not this time.
The junior recorded an 18-foot, 11-inch jump to take sixth and medal in the long jump at the California Interscholastic Federation State Track and Field Championships June 7 in Clovis. Foster not only medaled, but set a new Christopher school record in the process, shattering her previous mark of 17 feet, 10 1/4 inches.
“I’ve always wanted to go to state and then I made it. Going to state has always been a dream and a goal of mine, but medaling and making the podium was beyond my dreams,” Foster said. “Just to have that moment (was special). It was an honor just to be there.”
Medalling on the state’s biggest stage was the culmination of a whirlwind few weeks for Foster. She barely qualified for the Central Coast Section Finals after an uncharasteristic off-day put her in 11th place after the semis on May 24. But like a diamond, she shined under pressure to take third at the CCS Finals on May 30 and punch her ticket to state. The rollercoaster ride continued as Foster took the 12th and final spot during the CIF preliminary round to squeak into the state finals.
“The thing with Ally is she’s wired and built to be a competitor,” Christopher coach Jeff Myers said. “At state, it’s hard to get in the finals, let alone medal—it’s the best in California. She did what she was supposed to do. She’s just a pure, pure jumper.”
The moment was extra special for Foster as she was jumping in front of her biggest fans: her family. After hitting the 18-foot, 11-inch mark, she turned to the stands to share the moment with them.
“They were all cheering loud—my family is pretty loud. It was great,” she said.
But the Foster family weren’t the only ones watching her. Myers said he received an email from Cal State Bakersfield on June 9 offering Foster a full ride scholarship after watching her perform at state.
“Which is the first of, I’m sure, many to come,” Myers added.
Foster’s performance at state embodies what Christopher will focus on next season—quality, not quantity. After capturing back-to-back Monterey Bay League titles, Myers said the 2014-15 season will be about the individual and making sure they are solid in one or two events instead of the three or four events they’ve done in the past.
“We want to get them as far as they can,” Myers said. “Look what she (Foster) can do with that one event. She popped an 18-(foot), 11-(inch) jump, which is huge; we’re so happy. …You give her one chance in the finals, she’s going to take it and make the most of her opporunity. If you open the door for her, she’s going to walk through it.”
Foster also competed in the 100-meter hurdles, but finished 21st, missing the cut for finals. Christopher junior Cody Oberlander also qualified for state in the high jump, but was unable to make it out of the prelims after finishing 18th with a 6-foot, 5-inch mark—the opening height.
For the ultra-competive Foster, one medal isn’t enough. She has her sights sets on a bigger and better senior campaign.
“Next season, I hopefully make it to state again,” she said. “This time, I want to make Top 3. This is my new goal and I’m not going to stop until I get it.”
