Neuqua Valley’s Riley Ammenhauser eyes third state championship after winning three sectional titles
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (BVM) — Riley Ammenhauser is one of the best high school track and field athletes in the country. Already a two-time state champion in the triple jump, the Neuqua Valley High School senior continues to impress time and again, and last week was no different.
In the Class 3A Lockport Sectional, Ammenhauser posted a jump of 42 feet, 11 inches, which was a new personal best, and earned her a triple-jump sectional title.
42’11 triple jump today. pic.twitter.com/UwcXLzvRWp
— riley ammenhauser (@rileyyamm) June 4, 2021
The talented star also won a sectional title in the long jump with a leap of 19-4.25. In addition, she edged out Waubonsie Valley’s Itzel Garcia in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.23.
Ammenhauser also helped her Neuqua Valley team to a third-place finish. The senior continues to challenge herself, and hopes to soon accomplish a triple jump of 43 or even 44 feet. It would be an impressive feat, but she will certainly have opportunities to do so.
Next up, Ammenhauser will have her eyes on state, where she will look to become a three-time state champion. The competition will be held coming up on Saturday at Eastern Illinois.
Last year, Ammenhauser did not have a chance to compete at state with the spring outdoor track season canceled. Prior to that, she was dazzling during the indoor season, finishing the campaign ranked as the third-best triple jumper in the nation, and ninth-best long jumper.
She has come back even better this year, posting an indoor triple jump of 40-1.50 at the Illinois Meet of Champions Showcase on March 6 — a national best for high school girls. She also had previously posted the second-best outdoor triple jump in the country this spring in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with a distance of 40-4.25.
In the fall, Ammenhauser will begin her career in the sport at the collegiate level, as she will head north to compete for the Michigan Wolverines.
100% COMMITTED 💛💙 #goblue #umich #committed @UMich @UMichTrack pic.twitter.com/7gV1ZhnHxW
— riley ammenhauser (@rileyyamm) November 10, 2020
Continuing to turn heads within Illinois and across the country, there is no telling how far Ammenhauser’s career with the Wolverines and beyond could go.
