Winner's mindset: Lafayette Jeff 3-sport athlete Jade Wiese picks herself up after injury

LAFAYETTE — The eyes of Lafayette Jeff senior Jade Wiese closed as she began to chop her legs up and down at Schuemann Stadium.

The IUPUI-signed jumper leaped with all the power she could generate into the soft sand pit during the Lafayette City County Track Meet on Tuesday afternoon.

And while Wiese's jump was adequate for some, it wasn't to her standard.

"I knew my senior year but be difficult but it was a little bit more difficult than I thought because I'm not performing as well as I'd like to be," Wiese said as tears streamed down her face. "But it's rewarding to be out here."

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The senior year Wiese envisioned hasn't gone the way she hoped.

She was a feisty 5-foot-2 midfielder for the Bronchos' soccer team who could score goals and was a tenacious defender. Added to her soccer skills was her grace as a gymnast, showcasing her athleticism on floor routine.

Wiese excelled in all three sports: track, soccer and gymnastics. Most of the senior plans got derailed before they even had begun. Wiese tore her ACL two weeks before the start of soccer season in August.

"I was so sad that I didn't think I'd even ever be out here again," Wiese said.

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Wiese is back competing for Lafayette Jeff in the final chapter of her athletic career after missing out on the two sports she loved along with track.

"My whole life has revolved around sports," Wiese said. "I started soccer and gymnastics when I was six. I was in and out of the gym 16 hours a week constantly. I've never really had a break. When I got into high school I decided to quit all my club sports. I did well in gymnastics, soccer and I was really excited for my senior year."

"And then (the injury) happened," Wiese added. She was confined to her bed for several weeks after surgery.

Wiese is fighting to gain her state qualifying jumps back after hitting a high of 18 feet, 5 inches against Harrison last season. She finished 15th at state with a distance of 17 feet, 5.75 inches.

But on Tuesday, she jumped 15 feet, 11.5 inches, hence the frustration.

The insecurity Wiese faces daily is only sharpening her mentally and emotionally. The injury and obstacles she has endured are all part of the journey.

"I beat myself up but I got a PR," Wiese said. "But it's not enough. I want to be better than I am today. That's why when I wake up, I tell myself I'm not jumping 18 - 5 like I was last year but you're still going to practice and beating out some girls who haven't been injured. So it's exciting and rewarding."

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com , on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson .

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Winner's mindset: Lafayette Jeff 3-sport athlete Jade Wiese picks herself up after injury