Sails set for Texas

When Heather Jenkins began her Central High School track and field career, she never envisioned competing on the collegiate level.

But Jenkins hasn't just become a college athlete, she's turned into one of the nation's premier discus throwers. The Southeast Missouri State University junior will make her second appearance at the NCAA national meet when the Division I championships begin Wednesday in Austin, Texas.

"When I started at Central, I didn't even expect to throw in college," said a laughing Jenkins. "I've definitely done a lot better than I ever thought I would."

And, even though she will be competing against the nation's best, she doesn't figure to be intimidated.

"I don't think so," she said. "Going there my freshmen year I think will help me not be nervous. I've seen what it's like and I know what to expect."

As a freshman, Jenkins qualified for the NCAA meet in the discus and finished 15th. This year, she made the field by virtue of her throw of 173 feet, 4 inches that ranks 22nd nationally among 29 competitors.

"Being ranked 22nd nationally is no small accomplishment," Southeast coach Joey Haines said. "Heather is capable of getting off a big throw in the national finals. She is one of the elite throwers in the nation."

While Jenkins might not have thought much of her ability during her early days at Central, her high school career turned out to be plenty impressive. As a senior, she was second in the Class 4A state meet in both the discus and shot put, and she ranked 20th nationally in the discus according to Track & Field News.

Haines figured his program pulled off something of a coup by keeping Jenkins in Cape Girardeau after she was pursued by some more high-profile programs.

"We felt very fortunate to sign Heather," Haines said.

Jenkins certainly hasn't disappointed on the collegiate level. She has already won 10 Ohio Valley Conference individual titles in her first three years at Southeast, and she was the OVC's indoor and outdoor female track athlete of the year the past two seasons.

A nominee for OVC Female Athlete of the Year, Jenkins is the conference record-holder in the outdoor shot put and indoor weight throw. She has the top discus, shot put, weight throw and hammer throw performances in school history.

"She's just having a tremendous career," Haines said.

Although Jenkins left for the recent NCAA Mideast Regional in Baton Rouge, La., knowing she would probably earn an at-large berth to the national meet even if she failed to automatically qualify by placing in the top five at regionals, she was still relieved when she found out for certain early last week that she had made the field.

"I was very excited," she said. "I thought I would probably make it, but you never know. It put me at ease."

Jenkins was disappointed with her regional performance as she finished 17th in the discus and 19th in the shot put with throws that were well off her personal best. But she hopes to make up for that this week in Texas.

"I was disappointed, but regionals is not what it's all about, nationals is," she said. "I know I can do a lot better and I think I have some good throws in me.

"I'm just going to go out there and be loose. I don't have anything to lose."