SIOUX FALLS — Ashlyn Koupal is a five-time high jump champion.

The Wagner junior earned her fifth consecutive Class A girls high jump championship at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls Thursday, clearing 5-feet, 5-inches.

While it came two inches shy of Koupal’s personal record of 5-feet, 7-inches, she says she could feel the pressure of gunning for her fifth straight high jump title.

“It feels good,” Koupal said. “I feel like there’s definitely a lot more pressure today so this one definitely feels the best. I just feel like every year comes with more pressure. I’m just excited that it’s done.”

The highly touted Division I college basketball recruit cruised through the first five jumps of the event with ease, clearing all five without a single foul.

“I was feeling good,” Koupal said. “I knew I needed to clear the first like three or four without missing it because those will be important. Physically I was feeling good.”

After clearing 5-feet 5-inches, the only jumpers remaining in the event were Koupal and Dakota Valley’s Claire Munch. Both competitors missed all three jumps at 5-foot-6, but Koupal won on fewer attempts.

“My first two jumps were just bad and then my last jump, if I would’ve had quicker legs I think I would’ve got it,” said Koupal on the final jump. “But also my legs were just starting to get tired too.”

It’s been a long journey since Koupal started with the Wagner Track & Field team as a seventh grader. From changing field events early on in her career, it’s still a surreal moment for Koupal.

“I didn’t even start off with high jump my seventh-grade year so if you would’ve told me then this is where I would be, I would not believe you,” said Koupal. “I’m just super grateful. Thankful for my coaches for getting me into it and trusting me with it because they wanted me to do pole vault. I’m glad I made the switch.”

As the high jump field changes with each passing year, Koupal stays the same, winning a fifth straight Class A girls high jump championship, and is already looking forward to making it a sixth next year.

“I take pride in how hard I’ve worked towards this but I’m just going to continue to keep working and go for six next year,” Koupal said.