Athlete Profile: Jalynn Horacek

Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School’s Jalynn Horacek is hoping to end her senior season at the same place her junior year was finalized — at the state track and field meet.

Horacek made it to state last spring in the triple jump. Earlier in that season, she was the top finisher in the event at the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division Meet.

Horacek also competes in the long jump, both hurdle events and will sometimes help fill out relay teams.

Q: When did your interest in track and field begin?

A: My interest in track and field began in middle school as a way to get into better shape for other sports. But once I ran hurdles, track soon became one of my favorite sports.

Q: What is your favorite part about the track and field season?

A: My favorite part of the season would have to be competing in regionals and sectionals. It adds a ton of excitement to the events knowing that it could be the last time that season. Also it’s super rewarding to be able to move onto the next meet or even finals.

Q: What is your favorite event to compete in and why?

A: My favorite event to compete in is the 100-meter hurdles because of the exhilaration and excitement it brings. The rush that comes with 100 hurdles is unmatched compared to my other events. I love the jitters I get right before the race starts because I know that I could trip up and fall, and the satisfaction I get after a good race.

Q: After making it to state last spring, what are you hoping to accomplish in your senior season?

A: My main goal for this season is to be able to make it back to state for triple jump and not scratch all of my jumps this time. As for my other events, I just want to keep improving my times and distances to have an overall good season.

Q: How did you prepare for the track and field season?

A: I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the season because I was in our high school’s musical, which took up most of my time before the season. Yet, I enjoyed going on long runs outside when it was sunny and not too cold just to get into shape again.

Q: As a senior, how do you lead the rest of the team?

A: As a senior on the team, I lead the team by being a friendly face to all of the underclassmen and trying to help them learn better techniques for hurdles and jumps.

Q: Witt-Birn seems to always have strong girls track and field teams. What do you think is the reason behind that?

A: I believe that the reason why Witt-Birn always seems to have a good team is because we are pushed to be better by our coaches and each other throughout the season. In addition to having talent on our team, we put a lot of hard work into conditioning so that we are each able to be the best athletes that we can be.

Q: Before an event starts, do you have any routines or rituals you go through?

A: For most of my events I don’t have any additional routines from normal warmups. For hurdles though, I like to go through multiple drills just to reassure myself that I can get over a hurdle still and make sure I’m jumping them correctly.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Wittenberg-Birnamwood track and field team?

A: My favorite memory of competing in track and field was when I was a freshman. I didn’t have any expectations for making it past regionals, so I was ecstatic when I had made it to the finals for the 100 meter hurdles. When I ended up winning that race and becoming the regional champ for it, I was completely over the moon.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “Encanto” or “16 Candles.” TV show — “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Musical artist — Olivia Rodrigo or Tai Verdes.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: One thing about myself that most people don’t know about me is that I love the arts. I enjoy photography, making pottery and painting. I also play a few different instruments like the ukulele and trumpet. In high school I’ve also spent a lot of time in the performing arts doing musicals and plays.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After high school I want to become an environmental engineer. I want to travel as much as possible, hiking and seeing the world. Eventually, I want to live near the ocean.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Jalynn Horacek

Sport: Track and field

Events: 100 and 300 hurdles, long and triple jump, sprint relay

School: Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

Year: Senior