After a month, life has been good for Mieka Ray in the triple jump.

The Montgomery County sophomore has four first-place finishes in the event, including the Montgomery County Invitational on April 20 at Jim Blacklock Field.

Ray jumped 34 feet, 0.75 inch in the triple jump at the Montgomery County Invitational. She took over first place after jumping a 33-5.25 in her second attempt and reached 34-0.75 in her third attempt.

Ray was all smiles after finding out she picked up another triple jump victory.

“I felt great,” she said. “I think I can do more.”

Ray was one of two MCHS athletes who got victories at the MCHS Invitational. Junior Kaylee Daume won the shot put in 34-1.5, her second victory in that event this season.

The Wildcats also earned medals in 14 different events. Senior Kendrick Lewis led the team with four medals, placing second in the high jump, fourth in the 300-meter hurdles and fifth in the 110-meter hurdles and helping the 1,600-meter relay team finish sixth.

MCHS has another home meet on May 1 as it hosts the Eastern Missouri Conference meet. The Wildcats are the six-time defending conference champions in the girls division.

“I think we’re going to be competitive in that meet to try to win again to keep our streak up,” Ray said.

Ray has been one of the top performers for the Montgomery County girls track team as its season comes down to its final month. In addition to her four wins in the triple jump, Ray also helped the 1,600-meter relay team pick up two victories and won a 100-meter race.

Ray also came in first in the triple jump at the Montgomery County Early Invite, the Crystal Branch Invitational at Southern Boone High School and the Centralia Invitational.

Ray jumped a personal-best 34-5.75 in her second-place finish at the Orachard Farm Invitational on April 24.

Before this season, Ray competed in the triple jump only one time and that was at the EMO meet, where she placed sixth.

Ray won a spot in the triple jump this season after getting permission from MCHS coach Stephanie Finke to compete in the event.

“I think it’s because I really like it and I thought I would be good at it,” Ray said. “I’ve improved so much and I just keep improving, so it’s kind of fun to be able to do that and see what I can get at the end of the year.”

Ray jumped 33-8.75 at the Early Invite, a 33-7.5 at the Crystal Branch meet and a 33-11.75 at the Centralia Invitational.

Ray said Finke has been helpful in teaching her how to succeed in the triple jump.

“She always critiques little phases in each one,” Ray said. “If you make that little fix, it will be a way better jump.”

Ray has been competing in track since middle school. She played volleyball with the Wildcats for the last two years with her twin sister, Kiera.

“It keeps me in shape for volleyball and club sports,” Ray said.

Ray returns to the team this spring after enjoying a strong freshman season that included a trip to the Class 3 state meet. She was part of the 1,600-meter relay team that won a district title and placed second in sectionals to qualify for state. Ray was also a member of a girls track team that won its sixth straight EMO title.