Legs Race

Two towns north and south of Wichita will supply the state track meet with two of the state’s best leapers. Tanya Friesen of Buhler High and Wellington High’s J’Lynn Ledesma went head-to-head at Class 4A state a year ago as juniors, and will do so again this month.

Friesen earned team points last May in three state jumping events, winning gold in the long jump, a year after taking the 2007 triple jump title. In addition to her 10-point 2008 long jump win, she placed fourth in the triple jump and high jump, earning four points apiece for Buhler.

Wellington’s Ledesma also qualified for state in the same three events, matching Friesen’s 18-point total despite scoring team points in only two events. Ledesma, though failing to medal in the long jump, won the high jump title and placed second in the triple jump.

Both seniors, Ledesma and Friesen have worked their way into the area’s high school sports psyche as year-round athletes. Each the top female athlete at their high school, they began building toward another state showdown this April.

Friesen signed a letter of intent with Wichita State track and field in late March, followed by Ledesma a week later, just days before the two’s April 10 meeting at the Shocker Pre-State Challenge. Friesen beat Ledesma at her top event, the high jump, though neither equaled Ledesma’s mark at state a year ago, 5’6”. Friesen shined at the event, her future college program’s only home meet of the year, also placing second in the long jump and triple jump.


While Friesen stands a legitimate chance at winning gold in the long jump and triple jump this weekend, her future teammate could be the one to deny her. They'll go head to head in the triple jump. Since Friesen qualified for state in the 200 meter dash instead of the high jump, Ledesma is the favorite to defend her 4A high jump title. Ledesma also qualified for state in the long jump and triple jump.