1-3A Track and Field:  Monahans' Holly Takes Another Leap to State
        by Craig Craker, Staff Writer~~ Odessa American - OA Varsity , April 26, 2008

Monahans sophomore Kati Holly lived up to the hype Friday.

Holly cleared 5 feet, 8 inches to win the girls high jump at the Region I-3A Track and Field Championships at Ratliff Stadium and earn her second consecutive state berth.

The jump tied her season-best effort, which she jumped in the first meet of the year and then tied two weeks ago at a regional qualifier meet.

"It's kind of crazy," Holly said. "It's the regional meet and you want to show everyone how high you can jump."

Holly finished fifth at the state meet last year.

 "In 5A, they are clearing 5-8 but not at 3A," she said. "It's kind of pressure-filled because they are expecting you to do good."

Holly was the lone qualifier for Monahans on Friday and may be the only one from the school to advance to state.

On Friday, thanks to a little help from Andrews' Emily Eisenrich, Holly cleared her season-best height on her first attempt. Holly made three attempts at 5-9, but she came up short on all three.

"We get so close together with our jumps that it pushes you," Holly said. "I just have to keep doing what I'm doing and not get nervous."

Eisenrich finished second at 5-4, while Canyon's Dana Stephenson was third at 5-2.

Holly's teammates Jordan Latham and Kali Lewis also competed in the event. Lewis finished sixth at 5-0, while Latham did not place.

Holly would be satisfied with clearing 5-8 at the Class 3A UIL State Track and Field Championships on May 9-10 in Austin, but she wouldn't mind going higher either.

"I'm pretty sure I can get 5-9," she said. "It'd be fun to do that at state."