Best of the fastest

Wheatland High freshman runner Jessica Carpenter didn't expect much from her first year with the Pirates.

She said she just wanted to do well and maybe win a couple of races.

After losing only one race this season, Carpenter has exceeded expectations and turned some heads while doing it.

Carpenter ran the 400-meter race in 58.59 seconds at last weekend's Northern Section Masters Meet to earn a spot in this week's State Meet at Cerritos College in Norwalk. The girl she beat for the Section title was the same girl who handed her the only loss of the season. How's that for sweet redemption?

Carpenter has only been running since the seventh grade, but already has made the State finals in both track and cross country.

"In this sport, you can't just have the ability, you have to be mentally ready to do it," Carpenter said. "You have to trust yourself and have confidence."

Carpenter started her running career in seventh grade at Bear River Elementary School. She said she likes the new challenges that have been presented to her so far in high school.

"High school is so much different because it is so much more work," Carpenter said. "But I like it because you have to work hard to be the best."

Wheatland head coach Jason Soderlund said Carpenter is a special athlete because of her dedication and work ethic. He said he has to tell Carpenter to stop running sometimes because she likes to run home from school as a part of her conditioning.

"Jessica is one of the best athletes I have ever coached," Soderlund said. "To do what she has done as a freshman is unheard of."

Soderlund said Carpenter is the first Pirate to make State in about five years and is the first Wheatland runner to make State as a freshman.

"Our track program is going to benefit from having her for the next three years," Soderlund said. "She's always pushing the other girls to work harder. She is a special young lady who is going to do amazing things."

Carpenter's personal best in the 400 is 58.31 seconds, but Soderlund said she has not faced the kind of competition she will this weekend. She is one of only three freshman who will be running in the race.

"This event is usually dominated by juniors and seniors," Soderlund said. "This is her first year and we're looking to it as a learning experience."

Assistant coach Shawn Millington worked with Carpenter this season as the distance coach and will also be coaching her this fall as the new cross country coach.

He said that Carpenter will be aiming for a time around 56 or 57 seconds to make the top nine.

"It's going to be a tall order to make a state race as a freshman, but we have set goals and she has kept her chin up," Millington said. "I told her to stay relaxed and have a good time."

Millington lives down the street from Carpenter so he works with her on the weekends to keep her conditioning up to par. He has seen firsthand what she is capable of accomplishing.

"Her dedication will pay off this weekend," Millington said. "She was in the top 17 of the state in cross country so this is familiar territory."

Carpenter will run in a preliminary heat on Friday when there will be three heats with nine girls in each race. The top nine times from the heats advance to the final on Saturday.

Carpenter said her experience last fall in cross country has really prepared her for this weekend's race.

"I know that there are people faster than me and so I just need to keep pace with the faster people," Carpenter said. "The key is don't get mad that you're not in first and don't give up."

Carpenter admits that track isn't her favorite sport — soccer is. She also wants to try swimming next year and continue with her running career.

While State finals may be the pinnacle of a high school career, Carpenter is just getting started for the Pirates and isn't looking to slow down anytime soon.

"I really hope I can make it to State in cross country and track my next three years," Carpenter said. "I just want to keep getting better and better."

Profile

Name: Jessica Carpenter

Age: 14

School: Wheatland, Frosh

Event: 400 meters

Favorite Athletes: Mia Hamm, Steve Prefontaine

Favorite Food: Cajun-style (Gumbo)

Favorite Movie: The Notebook

Favorite Class: P.E.