MA 8th grader becomes star of the show at state track meet

MADISON – The future is long and bright for one Madison Academy track athlete. Cora Rimes took the Class 4A high jump state championship with a classification state record mark of 5-foot, 2-inches and is poised for an endless future of success in high school track as just an eighth grader in the Class 4A program.

“I really didn’t expect it,” said Rimes of her record setting performance and who finished eighth in last year’s State Meet. “The defending champion who is a senior was there as she finished runner-up behind me this year. We both made the 5-2 mark and she tried to hit 5-4, but missed. Because she also missed at 5-foot and 5-2 and I did not miss a jump, that’s put me on top.”

Rimes is no stranger to track and field. She began the outdoor jumping events in the fourth grade and said it was at that time she learned the basics. “Yes, I had a coach show me the correct form to do and that’s why I am here today,” she said. Rimes performed in dance for 10 years and played on the Madison Academy volleyball team this past season, but said she will not tryout for volleyball in the next school year, but instead, tryout for the cheerleading squad for the Mustangs. “I’m not sure what my upcoming summer will include as I have participated in summer track programs in the past.”

Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 130-pounds, Rimes was eighth in the high jump at the State Meet a year ago. In the just completed 2026 competition she finished ninth in the long jump along with her gold medal mark in the high jump.

“On my winning jump, I stayed calm and was confident as I went down my 47-foot approach of the bar. I truly believe my core strength push helped me get over the bar at five-two and that core strength came from my 10 years of ballet and other forms of dance,” said Rimes.

The super-talented eighth grade student-athlete has been battling a severe case of shin splints and had to deal with that painful health issue during the recent State Meet. She wears compression sleeves on her legs to help with the condition which causes pain along the inner shinbone due to overused muscles, tendons, and bone tissue, commonly from sudden increases in physical activity, running, or improper footwear.

She saved up enough energy to make the winning jump and stand on the post-event medal podium to proudly accept her gold medal she proudly wears around her neck.