The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Floriea takes prowess to high school ranks
What Paige Floriea brings to high school track and field as a Mentor freshman is seen almost as often as a unicorn galloping down Route 615. Almost. But in this case, as a long jumper who challenged for 18 feet before she even got to high school, it’s real — mythical as it may seem.
Floriea arrives at Mentor as one of the most highly touted ninth-graders of recent memory in the sport from this area, between prowess displayed in long jump as well as in sprints in middle school while competing for Mentor Shore.
Floriea was the OHSAA middle school state champion in long jump last spring as an eighth-grader with a best effort of 16 feet, 10 ¾ inches and was D-I state indoor runner-up March 3 in her state high school meet debut with a 17-10.
With that kind of ability, those who know the sport best are eager to see what Floriea can bring to the high school ranks. So is she.
“It’s really exciting, because now I get to be pushed more, too, and I can actually challenge myself,” Floriea said. “I get to see how much I can actually do now.”
Floriea’s mother, Wendy, owns Lake Erie Gymnastics School, so Floriea grew up around that sport. But it appears she has found her calling in track and field.
“I actually used to be a gymnast, and it was a lot like gymnastics for me for some reason,” Floriea said of the transition to long jump. “I think I just liked playing in the sand, too.
“I quit that, I saw this, and I loved it immediately.”
Floriea’s personal best in long jump is 17-11 ¾, and on March 26 during the NEOITC Indoor/Outdoor meet at SPIRE, she easily won the event with a 17-7.
The most noticeable attribute to her long jumping is her finishing extension after explosion off the board. Typically, young long jumpers struggle with extending their legs out in order to maximize a jump — some even keep their legs locked straight out in flight.
Floriea does not have that issue, though, bringing with her a skill set to high school that is well beyond her years.
Her training regimen is strong as well. Floriea takes part in the football lifting and conditioning program at Mentor and lifts with the football players.
“I just practiced (long jump) as much as I possibly could,” Floriea said. “And then my coaches at Mentor, they always help me with stuff — my approach, and getting more pop off the board and everything like that.
“I really just have to work on my approach more and get more height off the board. It will get there.”
Her PR from middle school, the aforementioned 17-11 ¾, would have placed fifth at the D-I state high school meet a year ago, and five of the podium placers in the event graduated.
She also would have finished the 2017 regular season with the best area long jump by more than a foot had she been in high school already.
Mentor has had four girls long jumpers qualify for state all-time, the last coming in 2006 when Hallie Cope made it to Columbus.
The Cardinals have never had a girls top-four placer in long jump and only one in a field event, when Jackie Jeschelnig took fourth in D-I discus in 1998. That may change soon. Floriea noted the importance of performing well at last year’s middle school state meet and in state indoor as a freshman, which will help her in dealing with her first outdoor postseason charge in high school.
“Oh, (the middle school title) was a huge help to my confidence level,” Floriea said. “It made me feel like I could really compete at the high school level.
“(State indoor) was really big. It kind of showed me that I really need to work harder because I came in second. But it showed me I could still do it.”
If what has been on display so far proves to be an opening act, the show may only be starting — and there’s nothing mythical about it.
“I am super excited about it because I’ve always wanted to do track for my entire life,” Floriea said.
“So this entire process is going to be a great ride for me.”