Junior, Ashlyn Mitchell started out sprinting in track, but this year she decided to switch things up and try jumping instead. It was a new challenge, but she was excited to see what she could do in a different event.
Mitchell says, “Transferring from sprinting into jumping, my training is now mainly just based on plyometrics and getting better each day.”
Mitchell has always been dedicated, so it made the switch easier and more comfortable to be able to push herself in a new direction.
“I adapt my springing within the jumping phases by making sure when I sprint, my steps are exactly what I need them to be in order to hit the board,” says Mitchell.
When Mitchell changed between sprinting and jumping it was a bold move, but Mitchell has never been afraid of taking risks and to try something outside of her comfort zone.
Mitchell says, “Things like box jumps, bounds and just overall more plyometrics helped me become a more solid jumper and to show myself off more than I was doing when sprinting.”
Mitchell has always been someone who embraces change, so making the switch to jumping just felt like another step in her growth.
“My approach to running is a lot more organized in order to be able to hit the board rather than in races you just use all you have at the moment and push yourself to the extreme,” says Mitchell.
The most challenging part of the transition for Mitchell is learning how to break down all of the mechanics so that everything lands on one spot on the runway.
Mitchell says, “Coach Holland and I make sure that I am practicing bounding and really emphasizing on keeping my knees up when landing to make myself a better overall jumper and to reach the next level.”
Mitchell is the kind of person who’s always looking for new ways to improve, and with the help of her coaches and always having another person’s input is getting her to think outside of the box to reach the point that she wants to reach.
Mitchell says, “I make sure I stretch well, do some sprints and make sure to incorporate bounding into my warm up to make me feel prepared.”
Mitchell’s approach feels the most natural because of her sprinting background and is what makes the change from sprinting to jumping way more natural.
