Martin gives best effort on final attempt, takes second in long jump

May 28, 2011 at 5:00 a.m. | Updated May 28, 2011 at 5:00 a.m.

Kezia Martin of the Jefferson City Lady Jays soars toward the pit during the Class 4 girls long jump Friday. Martin, a freshman, finished second.
Kezia Martin of the Jefferson City Lady Jays soars toward the pit during the Class 4 girls long jump Friday. Martin, a freshman, finished second.

Kezia Martin had a goal of jumping 18 feet in the long jump.

She exceeded that. And has a state medal to prove it.

The freshman helped put the Jefferson City Lady Jays in the scoring column Friday, finishing second with a jump of 18-33⁄4 during the opening day of the Class 4 State Track and Field Championships at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.

Martin's day didn't start out the way she wanted, as she barely broke 17 feet once in her first four attempts.

On her second to last attempt, she hit 17-10, but knew Jazmin McCoy of North Kansas City was ahead of her at 17-111⁄4.

She had saved her best for last.

"In the beginning of the day, it wasn't as good as I expected, but on my last jump I pulled out an 18-3 and I was excited about it," Martin said.

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