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Raquel Reese's Best Marks
High Jump - 5-5
Q) Talk about the recruitment process - what other schools were you looking at, and how did you come to choosing Idaho State?
I was looking at a few other schools but Idaho State drew me in because it felt like home. I loved the school atmosphere, the campus, and the small class sizes. Coach Merkley was very welcoming and sees the potential I have to grow not only as an athlete but as an individual as well. I love the goals she has for the track team and the environment she is creating. I was also born in Idaho and my family are alumni from ISU, so it felt right to go back to my roots. Go Bengals!
Q) What do you plan to study at Idaho State?
I am looking forward to studying Healthcare Administration with a minor in Business Administration.
Q) You've been primarily a high jumper, do you see yourself continuing to focus on that at Idaho State??
Coach Merkley and I have decided that I will continue to work on the high jump, but I will pick up a few more events when I get to Idaho State.
Q) What got you into track - and interested in the high jump - in the first place?
My track story is a little different than most. I hated track, so I decided freshmen year that I wouldn't go out. Daniel Joiner (our head track coach) who I didn't know, called me over to him and told me I should go out for track. "NO" was definitely my answer. Nothing was going to change my mind. He was very persistent, however I made it all the way through my freshman year without putting on spikes.
Sophomore year I was tired of his persistence so I gave it a try, worst case I didn't go out for track. Joiner was right, it was the best decision EVER. Joiner said I should try high jump, so not knowing anything about track, that's what I did.
Thanks to the patience of my high jump coach Paul Herman, I made it through the first couple of weeks and started understanding the form. He has taught me so much about the event and I've found something that no other sport could offer me.
Herman has also taught me to believe in myself and to strive for success. Because of the encouragement, support, and care of Herman and the other great coaching staff, I am now fortunate enough to have the opportunity to complete at the collegiate level. Needless to say, I fell in love with the sport and never looked back.
Q) Could you share any goals you have for the upcoming track season?
For the upcoming track season I plan to increase my high jump personal best, win the Tri-Valley conference in the high jump, place top three at the state meet, and pick up some more events. I have been training in the weight room getting stronger and faster.
Q) What would your favorite high school moment be (so far)?
My favorite high school moment so far would be overcoming adversity my junior year. I stress fractured my foot at the end of basketball season and I was in a cast the first half of track season. After coming out of a cast and doing rehab for a few weeks, I was nervous to jump because I'd hardly had any quality reps since my sophomore year. The R2-J meet was my first meet back, and it ended up going pretty well. I PR-ed with a jump of 5-5, broke our school record, and the meet record. It was a good feeling to overcome a setback like that.
