Q&A: CEC athlete Jennessa Wolfe and her record-breaking high jump
TRURO, NS – CEC’s Jennessa Wolfe was one of several track and field contenders at the Provincial Championships, which took place June 12-13 at Beazley Field in Dartmouth.
On the first day of events, Wolfe shattered two provincial records set decades ago: the SSNS high jump record of 1.72 meters (set 40 years ago) and the Athletic NS record, set in 1987 by Natalie Munro. height was 1.81 meters.
Saltwire spoke to Wolfe about her accomplishments.
Q: How long have you been involved in athletics?
Wolfe: I’ve been doing track since 6th grade, so that would be seven years. I am graduating now, this is my Grade 12 year.
I’ve been doing high jump since 7th grade, so that would be six years.
Q: What was it like going to the provincial championships?
Wolfe: I felt good. I had a really good districts with high jump in particular. I know it’s not really sanctioned, but I just jumped for fun and I did 1.75 (meters). Regionals weren’t the best it should have been, but I went up a lot, 4 inches, just because I really wanted 5’7. I didn’t get it with the weather and stuff – it just wasn’t in my favor.
It was really very hot weather for provincials. I felt good – I felt bouncy and hoppy and I was ready to jump high.
Q: What was going through your mind when you went for the six-foot jump?
Wolfe: That was a total shock. I try to stay very clear in my head…we say “Jump the bar, not the height” to get it out of your head. I just ran at it like it was any other height I’ve practiced at which was my first time jumping I’ve never practiced or tried at this height before which was a little nerve wracking but I cleared it. It was… I was shocked.
Q: What was your first reaction after the successful jump?
Wolfe: Well, my first reaction was… I jump, I land, and I look up at the bar, and he’s still there. That was like, “Oh my god, did I really just jump over that?”
That was a big goal of mine and my coaches this summer,[to]reach 6 feet (1.80 m), and we always said that, but I really didn’t think it would come true. I don’t even know how to describe it.
Q: To whom do you attribute your success?
Wolfe: I’m very determined and hard on myself, so that’s kind of a good thing, kind of a bad thing, but my coach Tammy (Armstrong) is really good at helping me focus. She taught me everything I know about high jump, and it’s working well so far.
Wolfe plans to compete alongside the Truro Lions this summer, where she will no doubt continue to grow as one of Truro’s all-star track and field athletes.
