Romeoville High School senior Cierra Pulliam, 18, who set a new record for the triple jump at a championship event in Bloomington, is vying to compete in a state meet in May.
She jumped 40 feet and 2 inches, which breaks the school record and ties the state record for jumps at previous Illinois Top Times championship meets, according to school officials.
“I was happy and angry at the same time,” Pulliam said. “I really wanted to break the (state) record.”
She competed against 12 other high school jumpers at the event in late March.
Pulliam has been jumping since she was a sophomore. She is also a runner on the track team and has played on the school’s baseball team. The triple jump is a specialized sport in the track and field program.
Ted Rellstab, track and field coach, said Pulliam must now qualify at a sectional meet on May 14 to have the opportunity to compete at the Illinois High School Association Girls Track and Field state meet at Eastern Illinois University on May 22 and 23.
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Pulliam said the sport requires her to do different leg and core stretching exercises to execute three jumps feet-first in a sand pit.
“The feeling of the entire sport is just really great,” she said. “I really enjoy the challenge as well as team bonding and the cheering (in the audience).”
Pulliam plans to attend the University of St. Francis in Joliet, from which she received a scholarship in track and field, and major in nursing. She already is a certified nurse assistant (CNA).
“I love helping people,” she said. “I think nursing is the field for me. I do CNA now and we go to (clinics) and it’s really heartwarming to help the people there.”
Rellstab said it has been a joy coaching Pulliam.
“She is an extremely gifted athlete and a hard worker,” he said. “She is also a very happy-go-lucky individual who always has a smile on her face. We are obviously going to miss her, but we are also excited that she will continue track and field at the collegiate level.”
Ruzich is a freelance reporter.