Jessica’s 18th B-Day Party in Austin, May 13th

Jessica Cunningham will be celebrating her birthday this coming Friday the 13th in Austin, as she attempts to acquire the ultimate gift at the State Track Meet.

This will be Cunningham’s second trip to Austin, the first trip she was a Sophomore at Smithson Valley and her eighth place finish was a great skin to have on the wall, but the Senior for Canyon Lake now has a higher goal.

Win State.

“I feel like I’m at my top,” the two time State participant said. “I’m pretty good friends with some of the girls there, but we are there to win.”

The Pole Vault event has to be the toughest event in Track and Field.

You need speed, coordination, and many mental aspects to conquer an event that your head is closer to the ground than your feet.

“You have to stay really focused,” Cunningham continued. “At the regional I needed to focus on the run and then the plant.”

The wind and overall weather became an obstacle for the athletes that rivaled the bar that they needed to clear.

“The wind was blowing hard and I needed to stay mentally tough to fight through it (the elements),” the soon to be 18 year old continued. “I just plowed through it.”

Jessica has a brother (Logan) that is competing for the Texas State Bobcats in the Pole Vault. Her brother has cleared the 17 foot mark on the pole and has a legitimate chance of making the NCAA meet.

“When I was in the seventh grade, I remember going over there (SVHS) and watching my brother,” the proud sister said. “That is when I started jumping.”

“When you build up to the event and then clear the pole, it gives you a bona fide rush,” Cunningham exclaimed.

Jessica has cleared 12 feet this season and feels the region she competes in is one of the toughest.

She has had many coaches throughout this season.

Her Dad and brother are always talking about the craft and of course Coach Lacey Adkisson will help in the training as well as relaying instructions to Cunningham during the meet from Glen Dixon who works for Elite Sports.

Cunningham will be the last Hawk competitor for this season in sports. She also ran the hurdles and the anchor leg of the mile relay.

“I will be working on a lot of things before the meet,” Senior Cunningham concluded.

So now the friends and Hawk fans need to go over the Birthday plans.

What: Texas State Meet: May 13, 2011
Where: Austin, Texas
Start Time: 12:00 Noon
Presents? STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
ALL ARE INVITED