Prep of the Week: Ian Collins

(ABC 6 News) — High jumping requires precise form as well as timing.

It’s something Ian Collins took a while to master when he joined Comets Track and Field.

"We had no idea what we were doing, like trying to learn how to high jump and stuff," Collins chuckled. "But we just had so much fun with it and then it became like actually — I actually want to, like, learn this…"

"I remember some of those first meets, his first indoor meet was down in Wartburg College," Comets jump coach Erik Hoefer reflected. "We could tell he had tremendous lift but just didn’t have any real concept of what it looks like going over the bar…"

Months of laboring later, he has won his second-straight 3A State high jump title. A feat that didn’t come easy due to an ankle injury. But with the top prize in reach, Collins’ refused to let his team down.

"I had to put some heat on my ankle and try and then ice it," Collins said. "So, I was just sitting there in the hotel room by myself and I was just like, ‘Yeah, this is pretty cool I’m happy with this,’ it was cool."

Collins excels not just in track either, he’s played basketball as well as football. His experience on the gridiron involving both quarterback and wide receiver. His high jumping skills are rightfully essential when he has to catch a pass.

"That’s funny cause like in practice we would always work on that," Collins laughed. "Me and Josiah, who’s the other high jumper, we would always have a competition who could catch the most balls over the other one."

As Collins weighs his many options for college, he’s also leaving with great confidence in Comets Track and Field. His younger sisters Keely and Edie, are poised to carry the mantle now. And Ian sees his team going the same way he’s been the past few years: going up.

"My freshman year through our senior year we’ve always gotten better," Collins affirmed. "I don’t see this place going down at any point, I think we’re just going to get better…"