ST. PAUL — Austin sophomore Jany Gash didn’t reach a personal best at the Minnesota Class AA state track and field meet, but he did find some motivation.

Gash jumped distances of 41 feet, 4 inches and 42 feet, 5 inches and he had a scratch in the triple jump at the state meet. Gash, who didn’t reach the triple jump finals at state, had jumped a personal best distance of 42-11.25 in the Section 1AA meet.

He was hoping to do better in his first state meet and he certainly wants another chance at it.

“I don’t really feel like I did that well, but hopefully I’ll come back next year and do better. I want to be up there someday in the second flight,” Gash said.

Gash said he was able to pick up a new perspective by watching Minnesota’s best triple jumpers up close.

“You can learn by watching their form and their approach,” Gash said.

Gash had never been to the Class AA state meet and it took a little while for him to get accustomed the crowd.

“I wasn’t really nervous at first. But when the meet actually started that’s when I got really nervous,” Gash said.