This year’s state championship meant more to Artesia shot putter Brooklynne Ivans.
A senior title carried extra weight
Ivans knew it would be the last time she wore Artesia colors. That made winning as a senior mean more than the title she won as a junior.
“I knew I would not throw in college,” Ivans said. “I wanted to finish my senior year off strong. I had such a rough season that this means the most.”
Ivans was not having the season she wanted. She said she lacked confidence and spent most of the year being beaten by her teammate, Harper Murray, at meets and in practice.
Being at state the year before helped her understand what she needed this time. Ivan said she had to keep a positive mindset, something she struggled with during the season.
Coaching, extra work sparked a turn
One reason for her comeback was Andy Lopez’s coaching and her mother’s encouragement, who kept telling her to stay positive.
Ivans said Lopez told her she could win state. She also put in extra time before and after practice to sharpen her technique.
She started strong, fell off in the middle of the season, and found herself again when it mattered most.
“At the end, I got my confidence back,” Ivans said. “I was able to win state with a 37-foot, 9-inch throw on my third throw.”
Experience helped Ivans close
Ivans’ sophomore year at state did not go well. She did not throw her best or make the finals.
As a junior, she won the state championship with a 35-foot, 6-inch throw on her final attempt.
After winning that championship, Ivans said the moment felt surreal.
“It was a relief to win the title,” Ivans said. “I was expecting to win. I needed to win for myself. It was more of an expectation, so it was a relief that it was over.”
A new path after Artesia
Ivans will attend Hardin-Simmons University. She plans to become a social studies teacher and wants to teach high school. She will not play volleyball or compete in track and field in college.