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closeBeyond the Athlete: Jorgensen earns individual title
Shaun Scott
Puyallup sophomore Jesse Jorgensen did what no other Vikings athlete could do at the Class 4A state track and field meet in Pasco on May 24.
Jorgensen captured first place in the 800-meter dash, clocking a 1:54.21 and earning a coveted state title in his favorite event.
Jorgensen’s final kick down the stretch propelled him to a first place finish. He finished ahead of second place finisher Peter Gilbert of Pasco by .06.
“I was in third place with 200 meters to go,” Jorgensen said. “I just gave it all I had and pulled away from everyone. I finally got the lead with about 40 yards left in the race and won it by about a foot.”
Puyallup’s sensational sophomore hopes he can duplicate the kind of performance he put forth this year in his final two years on the track for the Vikings.
“I’m super-excited about what I did this season,” Jorgensen said. “I want to keep on getting better and do it again. I hope that I can repeat next year.”
Recently, I had an opportunity to ask Jesse questions about his life away from track and field.
Shaun Scott: Who is your favorite sports team of all time?
Jesse Jorgensen: The Dallas Cowboys. I lived in Texas for awhile during the early 2000s so I was a Cowboys fan.
SS: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?
JJ: My mother because she is great.
SS: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
JJ: It was from my distance running coach Rob Webster before the 800-meter-run at the state championships. He said, “Follow the leader and pass them in the last 100 meters.”
SS: Who was your idol growing up?
JJ: Emmitt Smith because he was the tailback for my favorite NFL team, the Cowboys.
SS: What is the last book you’ve read?
JJ: “The Alchemist.” I read it for one of my classes in school. It’s pretty boring.
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
JJ: Really slow drivers bother me. I can’t stand it when people drive under the speed limit.
SS: What is your favorite dinner dish?
JJ: Chicken strips and french fries. I like to eat both of those foods with ranch.