McKenna Hogan knew she had the potential, but Issaquah’s sophomore long jumper even surprised herself during a March 31 track and field meet at Roosevelt High School.

“I was just trying to beat my last jump,” she said. “I was really just focusing on getting up and getting speed. When they were like, ‘17-3 1/2,’ I was like ‘what?’

Hogan, whose previous best jump was exactly one foot less, suddenly moved within 3/4 of an inch of breaking the oldest female record at Issaquah High  —  a 36-year-old mark set by Kim Bierner in 1975.

Hogan jumped 14-11 in her first meet, increased that by 15 inches the next meet (16-2) before adding another inch and a half the following meet (16-3 1/2).

She had previous experience in middle school, but couldn’t jump her freshman year due to a broken leg she suffered playing soccer the previous fall.

Hogan admits the transition back to the long jump pit was difficult at first, but things are progressing quickly.

“It was kind of just getting back into it,” she said. “I was like ‘wow, I haven’t done this in a while.’”

Hogan’s sudden arrival on the scene was a pleasant surprise to jumping coach Mary Moore.

“We just didn’t know anything about her,” said Moore, who set the IHS high jump record in 1981 and still holds the state record at 6-2. “I like her work ethic, I like her attitude, she’s always upbeat and she has a lot of qualities instinctually that a jumper needs to be successful.”

With just 3/4 of an inch separating her from the school’s oldest female record, there’s little question what Hogan’s next goal is.

“It would be amazing,” she said of reaching the record. “It’s just going to take one of those magic jumps that happen sometimes. I’m going to keep trying to get better each week and hopefully I can do it.”

Records keep falling

School and state records are nothing new for the Issaquah girls track and field team.

Assistant coach Mitch Stuard said the Washington State High School Track and Field Annual ranks Issaquah’s collection of girls schools records as No. 1 in the state. The only two events the Eagles don’t have any females ranked in the top 200 in state history are the long jump and the javelin.

“It’s hard to describe,” he said, of Issaquah’s success. “It’s kind of lightening in a bottle.”

The Eagles currently have two athletes on the team who hold school records. Senior Haley Jacobson has the record in the 100 meters (11.8 seconds) and 200 meters (24.64). She set both marks, which are top 40 in state history, during her sophomore season. Jacobson is also a member of the school’s best 400 meter relay (48.43) and 800 meter relay (1:42.24) teams.

Junior Eva Perry is Issaquah’s record holder in the pole vault and top 20 all-time performer in the state. Since breaking the school’s record for the first time as a sophomore, she has shattered her own record four times. Her most recent mark was set March 31 at Roosevelt when she cleared 12 feet for the first time.

Perry is a perfect example of the exceptional talent Issaquah draws. When she joined track and field two years ago, she had never attempted a pole vault  —  now she’s one of the best in state history.

“A couple of my friends had talked about it, and I was like ‘Oh, OK, I’ll try it too, it looks like fun,’” she said.

History runs deep

Deanna Coleman remains the most decorated school record holder. In 1978 and 1979 she set records in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200. She was also on the record-holding 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams. Her marks in the 800 (2:04.70) and 1,600 (4:40.90) rank second and third, respectively, in state history.

Moore, who has coached at Issaquah 16 years, is still ranked in the top 12 nationally in the high jump. She actually held the nation’s best mark for sixth months before someone beat it by 1/4 of an inch.

According to Moore, not much has changed around the program since her senior season in 1981.

So, what exactly is the secret to Issaquah’s continued success?

“I think Issaquah’s lucky that we get a lot of the kids who have a good work ethic are down to earth,” Moore said. “Our program has always had an emphasis on fun and no pressure.”