Columbia High School senior Jessica Polkinghorn is following in her sister’s footsteps. In February, she signed to compete on the track and field team at Western Washington University next spring. Jessica’s older sister, Hannah, graduated from CHS in 2022 and is currently a sophomore at WWU.
Jessica has been a three-sport standout for the Bruins, competing in volleyball, wrestling and track. In volleyball, she was named to the Trico League All-Conference second team in November and three months later in February, she won the 155-pound weight class at the 2A/1A/B Girls Wrestling Regional in Shelton, Wash.
She said that playing three sports in high school taught her how to be a leader with authenticity and inspire her teammates.
“I learned to work hard. Even if you don’t want to it’s for the betterment of yourself and your teammates,” she said. “You have to have a positive attitude, and it will impact those around you. Like at practice, if you’re working hard, you’re motivating others to work hard, too.
“You got to keep your grades up, too. It helps with your mental health. If your grades are good, your mental health is good. And you are best mindset to compete.”
After wrestling season Jessica underwent surgery for a torn ligament in her foot. Currently in the middle of track season, she is doing whatever she can to stay in the game. In addition to doing limited workouts, Jessica is competing in the discus and shot put in a boot.
“It’s been a lot. It’s kind of weird to work and move around in it, but there are ways to work around it,” she said. “I am definitely excited to not use it anymore.”
She estimates that she will be free to compete without the boot around the end of April or beginning of May. The boot has not slowed her down as she recorded the top throw in the state for the Bruins classification.
With her sights set on the state track meet at the end of May, Jessica reflected on why she decided to commit to WWU. She said that competing alongside her sister, proximity to home and the facilities available all played into her commitment.
“I went on a tour up there and I’ve been up to campus a bunch,” she said. “The weight room is awesome. The facilities are nice, but the weight room was mainly what I was really impressed with. I thought it was really cool.
“I think I will improve a lot more at Western,” she said.
Jessica added that she received interest from two California schools: Humboldt University and California Polytechnic.
Jessica said her parents, siblings and coaches have all had a positive influence on her life and athletics career.
“My parents, they’ve always pushed me to do sports. My sister, also. We do a lot of the same sports. So, it was good to have somebody there,” she said.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.