Kelita Baroumbaye: Gunnison To Western State


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Kelita Baroumbaye's Best Marks

Long Jump - 21-9.75

Triple Jump - 46-2

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Q) Talk about the recruitment process - what other schools were you looking at, and how did you come to choosing the Western State? 

I had been talking with Adams State and Western. Western offered some scholarships that would help me out in school, so I took that chance of committing to a school that is small, I know well enough, and has a really good track team.

Q) What do you plan to study at Western?

I plan on going for business at Western. My original plan was to go for mechanics, but since Western does not offer that, I was thinking business or something that could still results to me on using it for mechanics in the future.

Q) What got you into track and field in the first place, particularly the triple jump?

I was originally planning on playing soccer, but it was a parks and recs program that I did not want to do. The head coach for our track team back then wanted me to go out for track and just try it and see, so I was like okay, sure, since I did track my 8th grade year in middle school before.

The triple jump had never crossed my mind when I joined the team. The first day of practice I was wanting to do the hurdles and the high jump, but then I saw the triple jumpers practice and it seemed fun, so the next day I went to the triple jump practice too, and that was where it begin!

Q) You made massive gains in the long jump - and the triple jump - from your sophomore year to junior year, and again from junior to senior year. What would you say attributed to your improvements? 

I would say being more experienced with the jumps, so you know what to improve on and stuff you need to do to get you further. For example, weights has a lot to do with this years improvement, and encouragement and support from teammates, friends, family coaches for sure!

Q) You went 38-11 in the triple jump at your first track meet ever your sophomore year, did you think then that you'd be able to compete in college?

The only thing that came to mind was: is that a good enough jump to get me to state? No college came into mind about the triple jump or for track at the time. 

Q) What event do you see yourself focusing on at Western?

 I'll say the triple for sure! Because it just comes easy to me.

Q) Could you share any goals you have for the track season?

After last year, and seeing where I stood, I made goals for the triple, long jump, and whatever relay I'm in. Those goals are to win state for both the long and triple, improve my distance to 47-feet and 22-feet for the jumps, and make it to state with the relay team I'm in, which is the 4x200.

Q) What would your favorite high school moment be (so far)?

I'll say taking first for both guys and girls at John Tate was pretty sweet, also of course breaking the school record!