Wilson Memorial senior Katie Lawhorn broke the school high jump record, marking a significant personal achievement after overcoming shin splints. Her sister Maddie was there to support her during this momentous occasion.
Key points
Katie Lawhorn broke the school high jump record
She overcame shin splints to compete
Maddie Lawhorn supported her during the jump
Katie took a summer off to recover from her injury
Katie LawhornMaddie LawhornWilson Memorial
FISHERERSVILLE — It's hard to say how many people who were watching knew just how much that high jump on the last Saturday in April meant to Wilson Memorial senior Katie Lawhorn. It's probably safe to assume most didn't. Her younger sister, Maddie, who was waiting for her own jump, certainly knew.
That the jump broke the school record was definitely part of why it was so special but probably not at the top of the list. Just the fact she was jumping at all was most likely No. 1.
At the end of her sophomore season, Katie developed shin splints. She took the summer off — "No running, no jumping, no nothing," she said — in hopes that she'd be healthy enough for volleyball season in the fall. She played the entire season, but that put a lot of stress on her already injured shins.
"It was to the point that it was hurting really, really bad, even when I was just walking around," she said.
She took three weeks off after volleyball, hoping it would help enough for the indoor track season. It didn't. Physical therapy didn't help either, so finally Lawhorn got an MRI which showed four fractures in her right leg. That ended her track season. Again, she rested over the summer.
As one of the top volleyball players in the Shenandoah District, the hope was that the rest would allow her to return to the court this past fall. Once again, her hopes were dashed.
"When I realized I wasn't going to play at all in volleyball it was pretty devastating," Katie said. "I was heartbroken back when I got the news. Knowing my entire season was wiped out was pretty difficult."
It wasn't easy for Maddie either.
"It was sad she had to sit out volleyball season because I was so excited (to play with her)," said Maddie, a sophomore. "That was my first season on varsity and that would have been so cool to play together."
Maddie and Katie Lawhorn are both helping the Wilson Memorial track and field team with their high jumping skills this spring.
Maddie and Katie Lawhorn are both helping the Wilson Memorial track and field team with their high jumping skills this spring.
Q&A
What record did Katie Lawhorn break in high jump?
Katie Lawhorn broke the school high jump record at Wilson Memorial.
What injury did Katie Lawhorn struggle with before her record jump?
Katie Lawhorn struggled with shin splints before her record-setting jump.
How did Katie Lawhorn's injury affect her sports participation?
Katie took the summer off from running and jumping to recover, which affected her ability to participate in sports.
What was the significance of the jump for Katie Lawhorn?
The jump was significant for Katie Lawhorn not only because it broke a record but also because it marked her return to jumping after her injury.
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Returning to high jump
For her track season, sitting out was probably the best decision. She not only missed volleyball but also the indoor track season, although her coach, Mark Rosson, said Katie made a great assistant, even videoing the other athletes so they could review their technique.
"I was the iPad king," Katie joked.
She retuned for the outdoor sason this spring. Although not fully healed, Katie is making the best of a bad situation. And the good news is she's jumping with her sister, so the two do get one more sports season together.
Both have been high jumping since they were freshmen. Their mom, Jennifer, was a high jumper at Buffalo Gap, so she has helped some on teaching technique.
"I knew from the second I started competing in it that this was my thing," said Katie. "I really love it."
This spring, Katie and her coach have been very strategic deciding in which meets she will jump. It certainly hasn't been every one. When postseason comes around, she'll likely jump in either the Shenandoah District or Region 3C meet, but probably not both since she is already state qualified.
On April 25 at the Augusta Invitational in Fishersville, both sisters jumped. And both had personal bests.
For Maddie, she jumped 5-1, three inches better than her previous best and good enough for second only to Katie at the meet.
"I was very surprised," Maddie said. "My PR before was 4-10 and that was already pretty shocking to get, so a three-inch PR is pretty crazy."
Katie was as excited for her sister as she was for her own jump, saying she can't wait to see what Maddie does the rest of the year and in her final two years of high school.
Katie, meanwhile, not only jumped a personal best, but a school best, setting Wilson Memorial's outdoor high jump record at 5-3 1/2, a half inch better than the previous mark set in 2018. The night before the meet, Katie had expressed how much she wanted the record, saying it was her ultimate goal this season. She accomplished that less than 24 hours later.
"I was so ecstatic," Katie said after the jump. "I was so excited, especially with all the stuff I've had to deal with, knowing I'm back to where I was and finally progressing again is just a really, really cool feeling."
Both credit Rosson, who just arrived at Wilson, for their improvement.
"This season has been the most fun season I've had in my life," Katie said. "I feel like I've improved so much this season because of his coaching."
Both sisters have dabbled in shot put and discus throwing this spring, events that don't put too much stress on Katie. She used to do some of the running and hurdle events, but no longer.
Maddie has been trying pole vault, clearing 6-feet this year. It's an event she wanted to try. Now she may stick with it.
"She's taken off like a rocket this year," Rosson said of Maddie, who has two-plus years to try to best her sister's record. Katie, for one, believes she will eventually do that.
As for Katie, competitive sports are over after this year. She'll be attending East Tennessee State with plans to major in exercise science to become a physical therapist. It was a career that she considered before her injuries, but was sold on after her own experiences the past two years. As for sports, she's considering club volleyball.
"I would like to find my way back to enjoying sports casually," she said.
She's still got a few meets left before turning her attention fully toward college. And no matter the outcome in those events, this has been a successful year of track and field for both Lawhorn sisters.
Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick.Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
