Rest? Sit? Relax?
Nope, that’s not how Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Arielle Chechile ’24 is programmed.
After training on her own at WMA for weeks, Arielle qualified for the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Championships at famed Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, July 24-30.
Arielle earned an invitation to the national championships based on her performance in the triple jump at two qualifying meets.
“I'm so excited at that whole idea that I could make it to the championships for Junior Olympics, which is a renowned event,” Arielle said. “It's crazy to me.”
After setting six schools records in an undefeated regular season for the WMA Girls Track team, Arielle continued to practice so she could “stay active.”
Arielle placed first in the triple jump and fifth in the 200-meter run at a USATF-sanctioned meet at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts in late June to qualify for the next round. Following a rain delay, she sailed more than 35 feet for the first time in the triple jump with a 35-9.5.
“When I came out, I did not have high hopes because I didn't get as warm as I wanted to be,” Arielle explained. “And then it felt rushed. But overall, it was insane. I increased the distance four out of six times, with almost a full foot (personal record).”
At the USATF Region I meet in July in Craryville, New York, Arielle placed second in the triple jump with an effort of 35-0.5, earning her a berth among the best of the best in Oregon.
“I was very rushed going into it,” Arielle said. “There was a rolling schedule so rather than having multiple hours I had 10 minutes to warm up. I went in feeling rocky. I was hoping for a PR, but my goal was 35 so I could say I was consistent with 35 feet. My first jumps just weren't going like I wanted, but by the fourth they were jumps I was proud of and I was happy with second place.”
Along with the triple jump, Arielle also set WMA records in the high jump, 300-meter hurdles, 200, 400 and 4x100 relay.