BY SAPNA PATHAK
After playing in recreation leagues and competing successfully at the middle-school level, Emily Standish dreamed of playing high school basketball. Instead, the Pelham native didn’t even make the freshman team.
Tony Johnson couldn’t be more thankful.
When Standish, now a Bishop Guertin senior, was denied a spot on the Cardinals girls basketball squad, Johnson took advantage of her open schedule, recruiting her for the track and field team.
“It’s hard when you’re 14 or 15 and you’ve had a relatively good athletics career, and then a high school coach says no,” said Johnson, who led the Lady Cardinals to their second straight Class L track and field title on May 26. “It can be devastating, but instead of dwelling on it, Emily sat with me and decided to try track and see what happens.”
Standish blossomed into the state’s best female high jumper, earning her second straight Meet of Champions title, on June 2, clearing a height of 5 feet, 4 inches. She then competed at the New England regional meet on June 8, tying for seventh with another jump of 5-04.
Standish travels to Greensboro, N.C., for nationals on Friday, June 15. The trip marks her second season competing for a national-ranking; she placed 21st in her first appearance.
“Nationals can be very intimidating,” said Standish, “because you’re there with the best jumpers in the country. This year I’m not putting that much pressure on myself like I did last year. The second time will be better either way, because at least I’m thinking about it differently.”
Standing at 6-foot-1, Standish, the tallest female in her graduating class, has what Johnson called “the perfect, long, lean high-jumper’s body to do big things.” Athletic ability aside, Johnson said her intelligence is behind the bulk of her success.
“I could tell she was tall and coordinated for her age and size,” said Johnson of his first impression of Standish. “When the basketball coach passed on her I thought, ‘What are you, crazy?’ I told Emily to give me time, and I could guarantee a state title. Within a year and a half, she was there.
“Looking at her from an athletic standpoint, yes she had the right build,” he continued. “But the question was, will she be dedicated enough? Will she grasp the concepts we throw at her?”
The answer was yes.
She’s improved every season, and now claims two indoor track state titles, two M of C titles and one Class L outdoor title. And Johnson said Standish’s best results are yet to come.
Headed for Yale University as a biology major in the fall, Standish said, more than the medals and accolades adorning her bedroom walls, it’s the friendships with fellow high jumpers – and rivals – she’ll miss most.
“We’re always rooting for each other while secretly hoping the other one breaks an ankle,” said St. Thomas jumper Abigail Blomeke with a laugh. “But that’s how it is with any friendly rivalry. I’ve definitely developed a nice camaraderie with her, and it certainly comes out at the big meets when we’re quietly cheering each other on.”