No Pain, No Gain: Tennessee High’s Ashlee Mitchell Takes State Gold in Shot Put
by Steve Wilmoth
TriCitiesSports.com
May 24, 2012
MURFREESBORO – Two weeks ago, Ashlee Mitchell could barely walk, much less perform the spinning technique required in the shot put and discus discipline.
Yet, Thursday at the BlueCross Spring Fling’s Class AAA state track and field meet, Mitchell grimaced one last time in order to reach the top of the podium.
Mitchell had injured her ankle during a weekend AAU basketball tournament, a mishap that had her on crutches for a short period and still limping noticeably at the sectional meet.
The injury kept Mitchell out of the discus competition but throwing virtually flat-footed, Mitchell was able to qualify for the state meet.
Healthier, but still not pain-free, Mitchell spun to a throw of 38-11¾ in the second of six throws Thursday morning and watched as one-by-one, competitors fell at least a foot short of the mark.
“I was pretty relaxed after that throw, I didn’t think anybody would get close to that,” said Mitchell. “The ankle still kinda of hurts and I still can’t play basketball, but my adrenalin was definitely up.”
The ten points earned by Mitchell were a critical part of the 59 scored by the Lady Vikings in their state runner-up finish. While the team does lose five-time state champ Jennifer Cannon, Mitchell, a junior, believes the performances of herself, Cannon and sophomore Samantha Gudger will help the track and field program remain a state-wide force.
“I’m so proud to come down here with three girls and get second and almost first,” added Mitchell. “People are going to know who we are now, they will know about Tennessee High.”
TriCitiesSports.com
May 24, 2012
MURFREESBORO – Two weeks ago, Ashlee Mitchell could barely walk, much less perform the spinning technique required in the shot put and discus discipline.
Yet, Thursday at the BlueCross Spring Fling’s Class AAA state track and field meet, Mitchell grimaced one last time in order to reach the top of the podium.
Mitchell had injured her ankle during a weekend AAU basketball tournament, a mishap that had her on crutches for a short period and still limping noticeably at the sectional meet.
The injury kept Mitchell out of the discus competition but throwing virtually flat-footed, Mitchell was able to qualify for the state meet.
Healthier, but still not pain-free, Mitchell spun to a throw of 38-11¾ in the second of six throws Thursday morning and watched as one-by-one, competitors fell at least a foot short of the mark.
“I was pretty relaxed after that throw, I didn’t think anybody would get close to that,” said Mitchell. “The ankle still kinda of hurts and I still can’t play basketball, but my adrenalin was definitely up.”
The ten points earned by Mitchell were a critical part of the 59 scored by the Lady Vikings in their state runner-up finish. While the team does lose five-time state champ Jennifer Cannon, Mitchell, a junior, believes the performances of herself, Cannon and sophomore Samantha Gudger will help the track and field program remain a state-wide force.
“I’m so proud to come down here with three girls and get second and almost first,” added Mitchell. “People are going to know who we are now, they will know about Tennessee High.”