Madison Henkel Celebrates Record Long Jump on Memorable Birthday

PIQUA — Madison Henkel stepped off the podium at Piqua High School to a cheering crowd of Shelby Whippet supporters, beaming with joy as she declared, “Best birthday ever.” Henkel had just set a new Division III regional long jump record, achieving an impressive distance of 19 feet, 7 inches to clinch the championship title by a significant margin of 1 foot and 7 inches over her nearest competitor.

Henkel's performance included three jumps exceeding 19 feet, with her second effort measuring 19 feet, 3.25 inches—though that mark was ruled wind-aided. “This is the first time I have been consistently in the 19s,” she remarked. “So that feels really great, especially this late in the season and jumping my best. My adrenaline was really pumping, and that helped me overcome the anxiety I have been going into meets with.”

Despite being a seasoned senior with a state championship title to her name and numerous accolades, Henkel admits to feeling nervous before competitions. Recent outings, particularly at the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference meet, had left her anxious after failing to qualify for finals due to a couple of fouls. However, she managed to set those concerns aside during this pivotal meet. “I am proud that I came in and proved to myself that I can jump at a high level,” Henkel stated, emphasizing the boost in her confidence.

Henkel is not alone in her drive; she is part of a resilient Shelby girls 4x100-meter relay team that also faced setbacks last season. After being disqualified due to a false start during the preliminaries, the team—comprised of Henkel, Princess Timko, Ashley Montgomery, and Karlie Walp—returned with determination. They won the Division III regional championship this year with an impressive time of 48 seconds, positioning them as strong contenders for the state meet.

Timko, who runs the first leg, reflected on last year's disappointment but expressed pride in their comeback: “Getting out of districts and winning regionals just makes up for all of that heartbreak. It feels so special.” Montgomery echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging her excitement for the upcoming state championship, while Walp, the team’s newest member, added that their camaraderie has made for seamless handoffs during practice.

As they prepare for the state championships in Columbus on June 5, the team aims to build on their recent successes and lower their personal records even further.