Becker overcomes tough odds at nationals

Soaring temperatures could easily affect a track athlete. But Haley Becker took a simple approach to beating the heat.

Becker withstood a 105-degree day in Wichita, Kan., to place sixth in high jump at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals in the Intermediate age group (those born in 1995 and 1996).

“I just stayed in the shade as much as possible,” said Becker, who is a rising junior at Libertyville High School. “And I drank a lot of water.”

Becker, who competes for the Mundelein Mambas, had a top jump of 5-3 during Saturday’s action.

“I wish I could’ve gone higher,” Becker said, “but I’m happy with it.”

Several attempts at 5-5 came up just short. But considering the elements and the long wait — nearly three and a half hours after arrival — Becker cannot be disappointed with the results.

“I just stayed in the shade,” said Becker, who showed up at 11 a.m. but didn’t jump until 2:30 p.m. “I started warming up about 15-20 minutes before my jumps.”

Mambas head coach Toni Carmichael knows Becker is capable of breaking past the 5-5 barrier.

“When she jumped 5-3, her jump would’ve cleared 5-5,” Carmichael said. “I was thinking, ‘don’t change your jump.’”

A key to the medal was Becker clearing every height on her first attempt. She had zero misses until she made three attempts at 5-5.

“Haley is a phenomenal jumper,” said Carmichael, aware there were 39 jumpers in her age group. “What she did was incredible.”

Becker praised Carmichael for utilizing a positive approach.

“She’s real enthusiastic,” Becker said. “I can always hear her yelling in the stands.”

Becker has placed top 15 in each of the last four years in the USATF Nationals. She took 12th in 2008, fourth in 2009 and eighth in 2010.

Roberts rolls: Max Roberts showed off some amazing resiliency during the USATF Nationals. Roberts competed in 13 races during the week of action, culminating with a fourth-place finish among Youth Boys in the 800-meter run.

Roberts, an incoming freshman at Libertyville High School who also competes for the Mundelein Mambas, raced around the Wichita State University track in a personal-record 2:07.16.

“You talk about a versatile kid,” Carmichael said. “He ran a PR in the 100 hurdles to finish 11th in the nation and also took 15th in the 1500.”

Roberts came to Wichita as an unknown on the USATF National level.

“They know who he is now,” Carmichael said. “I just love his fight.”

Roberts also competed in the pentathlon.

So close: Three other Mambas nearly earned national medals (top 8). Libertyville’s Nicole Jaffke took 11th in Intermediate Girls pole vault with a top jump of 10-2.

“She narrowly missed at 10-8,” said Carmichael, aware 10-8 would’ve been good enough to medal.

Lake Forest resident Carolina Carmichael (Toni’s daughter) took 11th in Young Women pole vault with a top jump of 11-7 3/4. One miss along the way to 11-7 3/4 cost Carmichael a medal.

Crystal Lake resident Brandon Dahl took 12th in Young Boys pole vault (9-8).

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of our whole team,” said Toni Carmichael, who brought 15 athletes to nationals. “We have a team that’s full of heart.”

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