By Skip Weaver
Contributing Writer
COLUMBUS – Jalin Marshall was unable to defend his state long jump title on Saturday at the Division I state track championships, but the Middletown senior made up for it by finishing as the runner-up in the high jump.
Marshall tied his personal-best height of 6 feet, 8 inches to take the second-place medal in the high jump. He was fourth in the state high jump a year ago. The last time he jumped 6-8 was at last year’s regional meet.
“You always want to be first, but second is not too bad,” Marshall said. “I came out this weekend wanting to win the long jump again and do the best I could in the high jump, but I still competed at the highest level and I’m pleased with that.
Marshall also said his sixth-place finish in the long jump (22-9.5) helped fuel his competitiveness in the high jump.
“I’m disappointed to not defend my (long jump) title,” Marshall said. “But not everyone has a title to defend, so I’m just happy that I have a state title.”
Now that his high school career is complete, Marshall will pack his bags at home on Sunday and head back to Columbus where he will begin his college football career as an Ohio State Buckeye.
“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Marshall said. “I tried not to think about it too much being up here this weekend, but this is definitely a big deal for me. It’s something I’ve looked forward to my whole life.”
Marshall said summer workouts begin on Monday.
Fenwick’s Jenni Rossi was the sixth-best in the state Saturday in the Division II girls’ shot put. She dropped a spot from her fifth-place finish at state last year, but she improved her distance with a toss of 41 feet, 0.25 inches, which she got on her first throw in the preliminary heat.
“I knew I had a good chance at making the finals after that throw,” Rossi said. “I know I did my best and that’s all I wanted to do.”
Rossi also competed in the girls’ discus event on Friday, but her best throw of 109-7 wasn’t good enough to make the finals.
“I’m definitely motivated for next year,” she said.
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