HT Girls Track & Field: Jilene Velazquez Punches Ticket to State Semifinals

State Bound! recap written by Coach Stephen Gladden; posted by AD Schwadron 5/16/25

Jilene Velazquez punched her ticket to the State Semifinals with a dramatic come from behind victory in the long jump, defending her title as Sectional champion. After the preliminary round, Jilene had the top mark of 4.92 meters. The top nine jumpers advanced to the long jump final with each athlete getting three more attempts. Jilene’s first two attempts in the final round were pedestrian leaps of 4.67 and 4.70 meters. Meanwhile, two athletes improved, achieving or exceeding the qualifying standard of 5.00 meters, potentially leaving Jilene as the odd person out. Because she had the leading preliminary mark, she got the final jump. With a fast approach and solid foot placement on the takeoff board, Jilene leaped out to a personal best and school record jump of 5.23 meters (17’-2”)! The jump catapulted her to first place and a return ticket to the Class A State Semifinals in Charleston at Eastern Illinois University.

Jilene also anchored the 4 x 100 meter relay team of Michelle Robinson, Emaly Lopez, and Sunita Pate to a seasonal best of 54.25s, finishing sixth.

In the 100 meter sprint, Michelle and Jilene finished fourteen and fifteenth, respectively. Sunita took tenth place in both the 100 and 300 meter hurdle races.

Michelle got around the 400 meter oval in 1:10.56 to finish twelfth, giving her a new personal record. Emaly achieved a season best time of 1:11.28 taking the fourteenth spot overall.

Arielle Asberry-Baker ended her season with a shot put throw of 6.12 meters and twentieth place finish overall.

Jilene missed a third medal with a seventh place finish (29.08s) while racing halfway around the track in the 200 meter sprint.

Good luck to Jilene as she makes her second consecutive trip to the Class A State Semifinals next week.

Shout out to Tom Doc Lee for his splendid video work and Super Fan Dianne Kenny for her ongoing support of the Track Team and HT Athletics.

Go Tigers!