BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Jumping at the opportunity

By Sophia Bellard, age 17 | July 27, 2024

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Sophia Bellard, a rising senior at St. Agnes Academy, reflects on finding her passion for the long and high jump track and field event.

As a kid, my mom could never get me to stay still. I recall a hot and blazing summer afternoon. My mom walked outside and asked, “What are you doing out here?” I responded, “I’m jumping!” as I hopped from foot to foot like a bunny, with a ginormous grin plastered on my face. This small conversation ended up foreshadowing my future. What began as a simple interest has transformed into a passion.

I joined the cross-country team during my time at St. Vincent de Paul and was encouraged by my coach to join the track team in the spring. My curiosity sparked when I saw girls participating in the long jump event. I immediately jumped at the opportunity. While there, I set new GHCAA records in the long jump for the seventh- and eighth-grade girls. Transitioning to St. Agnes Academy, I qualified for the TAPPS State Championship my freshman year, competing in the long and high jump. Now, as a junior in high school, I have continued to qualify for state, with this past year claiming second in long, third in triple, and fourth in high jump. I was also honored to be nominated for Girl’s Athlete of the Meet and received an Academic All-State title.

Though despite the triumph, my journey was by no means without turmoil. I have learned throughout my athletic career that passion for a sport means very little if not paired with mental strength and drive to see your goals through to the finish line, or in my case, the very end of the sand pit. In both my daily life and sport, discipline alongside difficulty became a constant.

As I continue my journey beyond high school, I carry with me all the lessons learned on the track and in the pit. Propelled by the love for jumping founded in my backyard years ago and the commitment I have developed, with each jump, I leap closer to every goal I have set for myself.

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