Athlete of the Week: Reanna Gregory

The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Reanna Gregory won the high jump, triple jump and long jump at the ODA Invitational Feb. 12.

“I was surprised because usually it’s a huge group of people out here,” Gregory says. “It was exciting.”

The 16-year-old also ran the 200-meter dash for the Thunder, finishing seventh.

Last year, in her first season on the track, Gregory reached the regional finals in the high jump — a feat she hopes to achieve again this spring.

Gregory holds the school record in the high jump (4-6) — her signature event — and has personal bests of 14-0 in the long jump and 29-10 in the triple jump. Gregory is currently 9 inches shy of the long jump school record — a mark she hopes to break by the time she graduates.

"I’ve only placed a couple of times, so to place in three events and get the highest title is really exciting.

I’m getting to know triple jump, so it’s becoming my favorite. It’s just fun knowing you’re doing something you’ve never done before and to be good at it.

High jump is all about technique. Getting the right technique and then getting it down (as a) habit is the hardest part.

The coaches are really accepting. They take everyone individually and work to their strengths. Everyone on the team is so nice to each other. Rivalries don’t exist on the track.

There’s an Olympian, Blanka Vlasic, who holds the world record in the high jump. I watch her and base my form off what she does.

I’ve got long legs, which helps with technique. It also makes it easier to go over the bar because I’m taller."