Holland's final opus
By: Iowa Preps Staff
Date: 03/27/2000
Melissa Holland sped down the runway, took a leap and landed in her dreams. Holland, a sprinter and long jumper for Iowa City High, jumped 17-feet, 2-inches at the Mississippi Valley Conference indoor meet last week.

Melissa Holland sped down the runway, took a leap and landed in her dreams.

Holland, a sprinter and long jumper for Iowa City High, jumped 17-feet, 2-inches at the Mississippi Valley Conference indoor meet last week. It's one of the top jumps this early season and was good enough to qualify for Drake and would have placed her fifth in last year's state meet.

It was her first time over 17-feet.

"It was like a dream come true," the senior said. "All my high school career I thought, 'If I reached 17, it would be like the best thing for me' It would make me believe that I am a jumper. I knew I had speed. I jumped but I didn't feel like I was a real jumper."

Her coach was pleased with the jump as well. Her best jump last year was 16-10.

"She was somewhat sporadic," Terry Coleman said. "Not quite as much focus last year as this year. She's redoubled her efforts and is really focused on doing well."

Unlike T.J. Klith of Prairie (see link below) Holland credits less offseason work with her early success.

"Part of it resting this winter. The other winters I worked out every day and I think I was tired by the time season came," she said. "I feel really fresh this year. Another thing was I improved on my technique and jumping. I've been a lot more comfortable with my technique this year."

Last year, Holland surprised herself and her coaches by qualifying for Drake. Then she surprised them again by not going to Des Moines. A member of the City High orchestra, Holland chose to attend an orchestra contest instead.

That won't happen this year.

"I'm really excited about Drake. I've always wanted to be a part that," she said. "I used to go and watch everybody else do it and be in awe."