Robert Jeffrey

Sun Sports Contributor

Cameron Turner Photo

NORWICH – Speed, strength, precision, and poise all present the skills needed to land the perfect jump.

On a picture perfect Sunday, with sweat glistening and mental fatigue setting in, an exhausted Caroline Stewart prepares for her next leap, aimlessly trying to perfect her craft. Just one more jump to complete her Sunday workout as coach Scottie Decker looks on.

The Norwich High School junior, bent on making the New York State Meet for a third time, determined to end the one year state meet drought that plagued her following an injury prone sophomore campaign. Cha’ Ching says Decker as Caroline ends the workout on a high note, and as the two walk off into what should be seen as nothing short as the ending of a Hollywood movie, they both know there is still some unfinished business.

As for Stewart and her Sunday practice sessions? They’ve certainly paid off.

“I had my mind set on going to states this year from the first day, so actually going back to states is a great accomplishment for me because that was my biggest goal for the season,” said Stewart. “I'm grateful to be going back and competing.”

With Stewart’s State Championship debut coming as an eighth grader, following that with another appearance as a freshman, the bar she holds her performances to are understandably very high.