Having her day in Italy

Steve Virgen

As July approached on her calendar, Sharon Day was left with two

choices.

The former Costa Mesa High standout chose to have her day in

Italy, rather than compete in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials

in Sacramento.

Day, who will be a sophomore at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the

fall, will compete in the high jump at the world junior track and

field championships in Grosseto, Italy today. The women’s high jump

final is Sunday.

“I qualified for the Olympic trials,” Day said in a phone

interview. “I was figuring on going [to the U.S. Olympic trials] all

year, but I decided to take this path instead. I wanted to be able to

represent the U.S. in an international event.”

At 19, Day knew this would be the last time she could compete for

the U.S. junior team, so she jumped at the opportunity. It’s not as

if she did not have a decent shot to make the Olympics.

Since March, Day has been improving in the high jump. Five months

ago, she cleared 6 feet, 1 1/4 inches to grab second place at the

NCAA indoor championships. Just two weeks ago, she went over 6-3 1/4,

her new personal best, to win an all-comers meet at Atascadero High.

“I don’t know what it was,” said Day, who was at 6-0 3/4 June 26

when she won the high jump at the U.S. junior championships. “I was

just jumping well and I made it.”

To make it to the Olympics at the U.S. trials, jumpers have to

meet the standard of 6-4 3/4 and finish in the top three to qualify.

The mark might seem out of reach for Day, but she is confident to

make that clearance before the year is through, maybe even in the

high jump final Sunday.

“There will be other opportunities in the future, plenty of

opportunities,” Day said. “I thought I would take this last

opportunity to compete as a junior. It’s still a good experience and

good competition as well. Definitely, I want to go to the Olympics

four years from now.”

Day said she wants to win a medal at the world championships,

preferably gold. That result would certainly add to the prowess she

has built in such a short time at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Day didn’t only lend herself to the high jump. She also excelled

in women’s soccer for the Mustangs. She earned Big West Conference

Freshman of the Year honors.

She scored six goals and delivered six assists, good for 18

points, which ranked second for Big West champion Cal Poly. She tied

for sixth among all Big West performers.

In addition to track and field, Day enjoys soccer, mainly because

she’s so good at it, but also because of the team aspect. She always

seemed to enjoy the essence of teamwork while at Costa Mesa. She was

usually the best player on the field, but was never one to brag or

flamboyant.

A shy personality, Day remained calm, even in the most tense

situations. She’s hoping to do the same at the junior world

championships, where she’s part of a team that’s representing the

U.S.

While she competes, Day said she keeps in remembrance her

community of Costa Mesa and her memories of the high school, where is

she regarded by most to be the best female athlete in its history.

As a senior she was named the Golden West League, Orange County

and Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Female Athlete of the Year for her

success in volleyball, soccer and track and field.

Now, she’s on the next level, yet seeking a higher ground -- to

make the Olympics in 2008.