COLUMBUS - Jennilyn Krumpe crossed the finish line a bit dazed and confused.
The Badger sophomore needed the assistance of a couple of officials inside Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
She didn't know she placed first and won the Division III girls 400-meter dash at Saturday's state track and field meet - the first girl to win state in school history.
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"I had to ask the ladies," Krumpe said. "I was like, 'Oh, do you know what place I got?' She said, 'Honey, the tent's over here.' I said, 'Do you know what place?' She said, 'first.' I was like, 'What?' I don't know. It was like ... it was weird."
Badger isn't known for its track and field prowess, but sent two regional champions to state this season in Krumpe (400) and Leah Blaney (long jump).
"We're a small school, but I'm finally glad we finally got publicity in Kinsman, Ohio," Krumpe said. "Nobody really knows where we're at. Hopefully people will go, 'Oh, I know where Badger is.'
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Tribune Chronicle / Michael Taylor
Badger's Jennilyn Krumpe crosses the finish line in first place in the Division III 400-meter dash in Saturday in the high school track and field meet at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus.
"Usually you have to say, 'Do you know where Maplewood's at?' They go, 'Yea, I know where that's at.' Then we go, 'Yea, we're a few miles down from them.' It's all good."
She started running the 4x400 at Badger, which got her interested in the open 400.
This season, she emerged into a state champion in a time of 58.05 seconds - about 2 seconds slower than regionals.
"It was the hardest I ran," Krumpe said. "I know the time didn't show it, but I gave it my all and that's what my coach said."
Badger girls coach Carrie Albert couldn't be happier for her sophomore runner.
"It was truly amazing watching her race today," Albert said. "I knew she could do it, but as a coach, all the worst-case scenarios run through your head until that gun
goes off. I am so excited for her. She deserves this for all her hard work. When you watch her compete it's easy to forget that she's only a sophomore. She's so composed and she rises to the competition.
"But then talk to her after a race and her silly sophomore self shows."
After winning the 400, Krumpe still had to get used to calling herself a state champion.
"It's taken a long time to adjust, but once I see my coach it will finally click in," Krumpe said. "Right now, it's blowing my mind."
