By Rich Winter

605 Sports

SIOUX FALLS — Only a freshman Wagner’s Ashlyn Koupal is already a three-time Class A state champion in the high jump. 

Koupal won Friday’s competition by clearing 5-6, better than Dakota Valley’s Jorja VanDenHul (5-5) and Madison’s Audrey Nelson (5-4). 

“This was a field of really good jumpers,” Koupal said. “I’ve been seeing them all year and I’ve won some and lost some but I finish it when it mattered.” 

At the 2022 state track meet Koupal and Nelson logged one of the better high jump battles in Class A history. Koupal won that meet with a lifetime best of 5-7 edging Nelson who cleared 5-6.

Earlier this month, at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays Nelson won the high jump with a leap of 5-6, edging Koupal who managed 5-5. That loss, and the others this season seemed to motivate Koupal down the stretch.

“I’ve lost to her a couple of times and the Howard Wood meet in particular motivated me,” she said. “My coaches helped a lot down the stretch and helped me get confidence and work a little harder.” 

At the 2023 state meet Koupal and Nelson were joined by Dakota Valley’s Jorja VanDenHul as all three athletes cleared 5-4. Koupal and Jorja VanDenHul both cleared 5-5 which Nelson could not get over. 

It is no secret that Koupal’s first love is basketball. The 6-2 freshman helped lead Wagner to a runner-up finish in the 2023 South Dakota Class A girls basketball tournament. The first-team Class A all-stater confirmed after winning another title Saturday that basketball is still No. 1. 

“Ummm, high jumping is behind basketball,” she said. “I really like basketball but I’ve really coming to enjoy high jumping and isn’t that far behind basketball.”