Alexandra Kelly, 18, Rocky Point native and standout varsity track and field star, is winding down her senior year in ways most student-athletes can only dream of, yet never quite see realized.
Leaving a mark on her town, county, island and state is no dream of hers, though. At least not anymore. For, as of Saturday, June 11, it became official: Kelly set the New York State triple-jumping record.
Also sporting a long-jump personal record (P.R.) of 19’10.75” and a second-place standing at the New York State Federation for her secondary event, it is, obviously, her 42’5’’ triple performance that will define her athletic legacy on the High School front. In putting together this impressive finish, Kelly broke the 42’4’’ land originally set by Marlene Ricketts, of Westbury, at the St. Anthony’s Invitational back in 2010, according to milespit.com.
Now soon to be the lone Rocky Point Eagle soaring into Nationals on Friday, Kelly is remaining both humble and determined in her quest to make the podium. “I had no idea I’d be ending my high school track career with school and state records,” Kelly said, “but as I started to see more successes over the years, they had definitely turned into long-term goals of mine.”
Typically calm under pressure, Kelly grew candid when mentioning the inside baseball on all things triple-jumping the unknowing eye may not recognize. “It [triple-jumping] takes a pretty heavy toll on the body. Even years later, I get pretty beat up when I have to do a lot of jumping in one day. It’s so important to stay healthy and rest to avoid injury,” she revealed.
Princeton-bound in the fall on a full scholarship, Kelly knows her training will elevate; but so too will her appreciation for the time she spent making memories with Rocky Pointers she feels privileged to call friends and extended family for life.
“I will never forget all of the memories I made with my team by my side during my track career,” Kelly vowed. “Being a part of relay teams and having a big group of athletes jump with me in practice helped us always find something to laugh about” during the downtime between required moments of intensity.
In a team sport with the built-in propensity to become suddenly individualized, Kelly thankfully has the unconditional backing of an entire community behind her as she pursues plunging past the next plateau presented to her on a hard-earned, well-deserved journey.
“Having coaches who always gave me the best advice, too; no matter what the result of the day is, I thank my Rocky Point family, and especially my parents, for supporting me at all of the super long meets!”
Her last long meet as an Eagle before becoming a Princeton Tiger: this Friday, June 17, at the 2022 New Balance Nationals, being held at the University of Pennsylvania. Safest travels and best of luck to one of Long Island’s own proud to call Rocky Point her home.
