It was Happy Valley’s Natalie Newsome first-ever trip to the state meet, and she did not disappoint.

After a jump off with West Greene’s Julian Faith, the Newsome took second place in the girls’ pole vault during the TSSAA Small Schools State Meet in Murfreesboro. Newsome best jump was eight foot, which was a PR at the right time.

“It was another surprise again,” said Newsome. “I PRed by a foot. I had been at seven foot all year. To go out and get eight feet and get second was amazing. As you can tell, I was very excited coming off of the mat.”

For Happy Valley head coach Matt Estep, Newsome is the first female athlete to be a state runner-up under his guidance.

“I am tickled to death with her,” said Estep. “She has been stuck on seven foot all year. We worked and went to Science Hill a few times, got her a new pole. Today was finally the day. Got her up to eight feet. Nobody in the state beat on height. They just beat her in the jump off.”

Newsome and Faith’s jump off was a close contest. Newsome, however, showed sportsmanship as she congratulated Faith on her win.

“Very frustrating,” Newsome said about being so close to a state title. “I am still proud of myself, and I am proud of Faith. We have been friends for a couple years. I am very happy for her.”

Newsome was joined in the all-state club by Happy Valley seniors Kai Norman and Austin Roark. Norman took seventh place in the boys’ triple jump with a 40-11.5 attempt while Roark earned seventh in the high jump with a 5-10 leap.

It was the first time either Norman and Roark had made it to the state tournament.

“My excitement is gigantic right now,” said Norman. “I am so proud of myself. I hope my coach is proud of me. I can’t believe I made it. I have never been this excited about something in my life. I have been this far in a sport before.”

Roark’s all-state performance comes after his signing with Milligan College where he will compete in track and field for the Buffaloes.

“Austin is somebody that has worked hard for three years,” said Estep about Roark. “He had a hard time making it down here. And he finally made and got all-state. I am very happy for him.”

The Happy Valley 4×200 relay team of Newsome, Charity Greene, Aubrie Caldwell, and Jessica Earp took 10th in their event, while Newsome also took 10th in the 300-meter hurdles.