By Rich Winter

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Avon junior Courtney Sees continued the family excellence in the long jump Friday as she repeated as Class B state long jump champion. 

Sees won the competition with a jump of 17-0.50, well ahead of second place finisher Emma Marshall of Irene-Wakonda (16-4.5). 

“There was a ton of good competition today,” Sees said. “I feel like everyone just keeps getting better and better.” 

As a little girl, Sees spent a lot of time following the exploits of her older sister, Lauren. Lauren Sees was an outstanding long-jumper who will be entering her senior year at Augustana University where she plays basketball.

Courtney Sees spent a lot of time going to her sisters athletic events and soaking up every tidbit of information she could.

“I’ve always wanted to follow in my sister's shoes,” Courtney Sees said. “I watched her long jump and tried it my seventh grade year, liked it and just kept doing it.”

The younger Sees has one thing her sister does not, a state championship in an event the Sees sisters have been dominating for the last decade. 

“She had a lot of good competition when she was in high school,” Courtney Sees said. “I think she ended up second a few times.” 

Who holds the family record?

“She does,” Courtney Sees said. “I think her best ever was around 17-8.”

While athletes make the long jump look easy, Courtney Sees said the little things end up making the biggest difference. 

“I feel like I have really good coaches and sometimes my sister comes home and helps me,” Courtney Sees said. 

See is also competing in two relay events for the Pirates at the state track meet this weekend.