Kori Pentzer

JOHN DAY – Working diligently on her triple jump for three years, eighth-grader Kori Pentzer is now at the top of her game.

After her 34-8.50 jump at the May 2 Baker Invite, the Grant Union Junior-Senior High track and field athlete was listed as the No. 1 junior high school triple jumper in the state at www.athletic.net.

“It feels like a lot of hard work has paid off,” she said.

Pentzer’s jump coach John Houk said a strong work ethic is what it takes.

He noted that some athletes start out, expecting to do well right away, and some don’t want to put in the time necessary to be successful.

“You have to look at it over a long period of time,” he said. “Kori is athletic and driven to be successful. She has that ability to focus on what we’re doing, works hard and doesn’t miss a practice – I think those skills come from her parents. I think she’d be good at anything she wanted to do.”

Junior high head coach Shanna Wright said she enjoys coaching Pentzer.

Wright noted that Pentzer also does well in long jump, hurdles, 4×100-meter relay team (with runners Sydney Brockway, Hailie Wright and Kaylee Wright) and high jump.

“She’s a hard worker and very dedicated,” she said.