American Falls thrower Jordyn Kearn had no idea. Coach Zach Barclay tried to look it up. They were each wondering the same thing.
When was the last time someone from American Falls High School had won a state championship in any event in track and field? It took some time digging through the Idaho High School Activities Association’s archives. But it was back in 2000. Kearn not only ended the near quarter century drought, but did so in dramatic fashion.
The senior claimed both the shot put (43 feet, six inches) and discus (151-08.00) titles, while setting a new classification record in the process at the Class 3A State Track and Field Championships on May 17-18 at Middleton High School. “I kind of feel like it’s not real,” said Kearn with a laugh.
“Because I’ve been working towards it for a very long time. And then it happened. “I’ve been rewatching the videos over and over again.
So it’s been really amazing. I feel fulfilled with my high school career in throwing.” One that began back in the sixth grade.
She was already doing both volleyball and wrestling back then. But Kearn’s parents wouldn’t allow her to take the spring off. So her options were either softball or track and field.
Older brother Wyatt was already doing track. He took eighth at state in the discus (123-11.00) in 2019.
Wyatt probably would have placed at state again had the coronavirus pandemic not robbed him of his senior season. Kearn quickly followed in his footsteps. She was first .
