It is difficult to gauge how many spectators realized the significance of that high jump on the last Saturday of April for Wilson Memorial senior Katie Lawhorn. Most likely had no idea. Her younger sister, Maddie, who was awaiting her own turn, certainly understood.
The jump broke the school record, which was undoubtedly part of its special nature, but probably not the most important aspect. The mere fact that she was jumping at all likely topped the list.
At the end of her sophomore season, Katie developed shin splints. She took the summer off—”No running, no jumping, no nothing,” she said—hoping to be healthy enough for fall volleyball. She played the entire season, but it placed significant strain on her already injured shins.
“It was to the point that it was hurting really, really bad, even when I was just walking around,” she said.
She took three weeks off after volleyball, hoping it would suffice for indoor track. It didn’t. Physical therapy also failed, so Lawhorn eventually had an MRI that revealed four fractures in her right leg, ending her track season. She rested again over the summer.
As one of the top volleyball players in the Shenandoah District, she hoped the rest would allow her to return to the court this past fall. Once again, her hopes were shattered.
“When I realized I wasn’t going to play at all in volleyball it was pretty devastating,” Katie said. “I was heartbroken back when I got the news. Knowing my entire season was wiped out was pretty difficult.”
It wasn’t easy for Maddie either.
“It was sad she had to sit out volleyball season because I was so excited (to play with her),” said Maddie, a sophomore. “That was my first season on varsity and that would have been so cool to play together.”
Maddie and Katie Lawhorn are both contributing to the Wilson Memorial track and field team with their high jumping skills this spring.
### Returning to High Jump
For her track season, sitting out was likely the best decision. She missed not only volleyball but also indoor track, although coach Mark Rosson noted that Katie served as an excellent assistant, even filming other athletes for technique review.
“I was the iPad king,” Katie joked.
She returned for the outdoor season this spring. Though not fully healed, Katie is making the best of a difficult situation. The good news: she is jumping alongside her sister, giving them one more sports season together.
Both have been high jumping since freshman year. Their mother, Jennifer, was a high jumper at Buffalo Gap, so she has helped with technique.
“I knew from the second I started competing in it that this was my thing,” said Katie. “I really love it.”
This spring, Katie and her coach have been strategic about which meets she will attend. She has not jumped in every one. When postseason arrives, she will likely compete in either the Shenandoah District or Region 3C meet, but probably not both, as she is already state qualified.
On April 25 at the Augusta Invitational in Fishersville, both sisters jumped and both achieved personal bests.
Maddie jumped 5-1, three inches better than her previous best, earning second place only to Katie at the meet.
“I was very surprised,” Maddie said. “My PR before was 4-10 and that was already pretty shocking to get, so a three-inch PR is pretty crazy.”
Katie was as thrilled for her sister as she was for her own jump, saying she cannot wait to see what Maddie accomplishes the rest of the year and in her final two high school seasons.
Meanwhile, Katie not only recorded a personal best but also set Wilson Memorial’s outdoor high jump record at 5-3 1/2, a half-inch better than the previous mark set in 2018. The night before the meet, Katie expressed how much she wanted the record, stating it was her ultimate goal this season. She achieved it less than 24 hours later.
“I was so ecstatic,” Katie said after the jump. “I was so excited, especially with all the stuff I’ve had to deal with, knowing I’m back to where I was and finally progressing again is just a really, really cool feeling.”
Both sisters credit Rosson, who just arrived at Wilson, for their improvement.
“This season has been the most fun season I’ve had in my life,” Katie said. “I feel like I’ve improved so much this season because of his coaching.”
The sisters have also tried shot put and discus this spring, events that do not stress Katie’s legs. She used to run and hurdle but no longer does.
Maddie has been experimenting with pole vault, clearing 6 feet this year. It is an event she wanted to try, and she may stick with it.
“She’s taken off like a rocket this year,” Rosson said of Maddie, who has two-plus years to potentially surpass her sister’s record. Katie believes she eventually will.
As for Katie, competitive sports will end after this year. She will attend East Tennessee State, majoring in exercise science to become a physical therapist. She considered that career before her injuries but was convinced after her own experiences over the past two years. She is considering club volleyball.
“I would like to find my way back to enjoying sports casually,” she said.
She still has a few meets left before focusing fully on college. Regardless of the outcomes, this has been a successful track and field year for both Lawhorn sisters.