Auburn Journal Athlete of the Week: Colfax's Redding breaks two records in one night

It didn't take long for Colfax High School junior Jesse Redding to make her mark on her new school. Redding, a transfer from Rocklin, has already competed in state championships in cross country and girls basketball, and she hasn't even been at Colfax for a full year. "There was definitely an adjustment to sports compared to last year for me, and it took a little bit to get everything figured out in both cross country and basketball," Redding said. "I learned to just trust the process as a whole, and that has seemed to be working out as I get adjusted." Now just more than a month into her first track and field season at Colfax, Redding broke the 36-year-old school record in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5 minutes, 15.81 seconds at the Del Oro Invitational on March 17. On Friday at the Bella Vista Bronco Roundup, Redding broke her 1,600 record with a 5:09.72. She also set the school record for the 3,200, finishing in 11:32. "It honestly feels amazing to break these records," Redding said. "It's very rewarding to see my work start to come together and make those kinds of things happen. It's also super fun to know that I have times to chase as well throughout the season." Redding noted she has aspirations of ending her track and field season at the state championships. "Making it to state in track would be so amazing and is definitely in my line of sight," Redding said. "It is a big goal of mine. Track is more competitive to make it to state, but I definitely think it is possible." State isn't Redding's only goal. Coming off a competitive fall and winter, she wasn't at full strength to begin the spring. "I was dealing with lots of shin splint issues throughout the cross country season, so my main goal is to stay healthy," Redding said. "I want to break five minutes in the mile, go sub-10:45 in the two-mile and hopefully make it to state." Redding and the Falcons were to compete Tuesday in a Pioneer Valley League meet at Center before hosting the Colfax Invitational on Friday.