Stellar freshman leads Redwood’s track high jump crew to success

By Sydney Brammer

Libby Thompson, ’25 has had an exceptional first track season thus far representing Redwood High School. With a personal record of 5’0, Thompson has been working this season to qualify for state.

She first began taking part in the sport of track in elementary school, specifically fourth grade at Oak Grove. She continued to do it all the way through her seventh grade year at Ridgeview Middle School until COVID took place forcing her to take a break.

Regarding her close-knitted high jump crew this year, Thompson says, “This year, I feel like all of us high jumpers have grown close this season. We give each other tips on our form and on our marks and they’re all really great.”

Reviewing her season thus far, Thompson has placed in several meets. Including first place at the Don Kavadas Tulare County Championships, dual meet against Hanford, dual against Mt. Whitney, and an invite with Lemoore and El Diamante.

She’s placed second at the Redwood Invitational. And third at the Exeter Monarch Invitational and dual against Tulare Western.

A meet that’s made the most significant impact on Thompson was the Sanger Spring Classic. She says, “It was raining and freezing. It’s hard to keep your muscles warm during competing high jump, even when it’s not cold. So, it was a struggle.”

Thompson plays an imperative role to the high jump squad. According to her, she helps lead specific stretches that are necessary for their unique type of event.

In regards to her leadership of the team, Thompson remains humble and says, “I honestly don’t compare myself to others. It’s not always about getting first in everything.”

Thompson dedicates a lot of her improvement and success to her high jump coach Issac Leppke. Leppke is a new coach to Redwood this year and according to Thompson, he is, “The best coach I’ve ever had.”

Thompson says, “He gives me the right tips and stretches on how to improve. He sets goals for me and makes me work harder.”

Coach Leppke shares his utmost pride in Thompson. He says, “She always is happy and brings good energy to practice which has a positive impact on her teammates. She brings a competitive nature every day that helps everyone improve around her.”

According to Leppke, Thompson was initially a long jumper with no intent of high jump. He explains how she was put into the event and had approached him in order to learn the basics. He says, “I told Libby that when going over the bar to imagine yourself doing a back-bend, and she took that advice well. She was instantly a natural.”

“My favorite part of high jump is the feeling you get when you finally get over a height you’ve been working towards.”

High jumper Libby Thompson, ’25

Earning her personal record of 5’0 on April 27 at the West Yosemite League meet, Thompson placed as the number one jumper in WYL as a freshman.

“Libby is just a bright and motivated athlete and student. She gets good grades and she practices every day to get at least one percent better each day. She is going to be fun to watch for the next three years.”

Redwood high jump coach Issac Leppke on Libby Thompson

Looking towards the rest of her season and beyond, Thompson only plans to improve. Her new goal for herself is to hit 5’2. She says, “I will continue to work during off-season, even when I have other sports, so that my senior year, I will be able to hit the goal I set for myself.”

Tags: high jump, Libby Thompson, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, redwood track and field, sydneybrammer, Track & Field, varsitytrack, WYL