Whitko senior Kaity Reed returns to the high jump pit as one of the top jumpers in the state. (File photo by Mike Deak)

SOUTH WHITLEY – She sits idle, waiting to strike. When her number is called, Kaity Reed has risen to the challenge. Over and over again.

Reed, a senior standout at Whitko, is eagerly awaiting her final go-round on the track as her ultra-successful career is quickly coming to a close. Reed, who is looking to return to the IHSAA Girls Track State Finals for a third year in a row, has a couple items on her checklist to attend to before calling it a career.

Already signed to continue her volleyball career at Southeastern University in Florida, Reed wants to leave Whitko as an all-timer. Already on the doorstep as a six-time Three Rivers Conference champion, three-time sectional champion and state qualifier in high jump in both 2015 and 2016, Reed is looking to lock it down this spring.

Reed wants to sew up the Whitko records, and is within striking distance at several. Tied for the school record in the high jump with Miranda Terrell at 5-6, Reed hit that at the sectional last May but couldn’t get past 5-5 the rest of the way, eventually finishing fifth at the state finals with that height. Currently second at Whitko in three other events, Reed is trailing Kelsie Boggs in both the 100 (12.99) and 200 (26.43) with her times of 13.19 and 27.39, both of Reed’s top times coming in the 2015 sectional.

Reed is less than a foot (16-7) from catching former teammate Elaine Warner in long jump (17-6.5) but is part of the school record 4×100 relay team (50.79), which was achieved at the 2015 regional.

“My only real focus for sprinting this year is breaking the school record (100 meters) on an Acutrack timer,” Reed said. “I want to focus on certain techniques that I’m not the best at to allow me to sliver off .2 seconds.

“I would love to break the school record for the 100-meter dash and also break the school record for high jump rather than just being tied with it.”

Reed’s 5-6 jump at the sectional last year was the only time she has achieved the mark in her career. The drive that began once the thrill had worn off for the regional and ultimately a state finals had the joy of ‘sorta’ achieving but also falling short of goals despite standing as one of the five-best high jumpers in the state.

Her 100-meter dash performance at the sectional, where she came in as the two seed and finished a shocking fourth to fall short of regional qualification, well, don’t ask. That motivation is beyond words.

“Honestly, I just want to do my absolute best,” Reed said. “I want to be remembered at Whitko for not only my accomplishments but my drive I have to get where I am and later on will be.”

Whitko finished third at the TRC Championships a year ago and was sixth at the Rochester sectional. The team is scheduled to open its IHSAA season Tuesday at Southwood, but weather could force the opener to be March 29 in the Whitley County Meet.