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01/19/2022 11:00 PMWhen it comes to the top athletes at Haddam-Killingworth High School, senior Jess Timothy is among the cream of the crop for the Cougars. A multi-sport athlete, Jess competes for the H-K girls’ volleyball team, as well as its indoor and outdoor track squads.
Jess completed her final season on the volleyball court by helping the Cougars have a special season last fall. Now, Jess feels happy to be back with the track team and is seeing success in the jumping events.
“I’ve been running indoor track for three years now. I really enjoyed outdoor track, so I decided to give indoor a shot, and I love it,” says Jess. “I compete in the long jump and high jump for the team.”
Jess says that competing in the jumps has been a tremendous help to her as a volleyball player. Jess led H-K on the court as a senior captain during the 2021 fall season.
“My jumping training throughout track helped me a lot with my volleyball playing,” Jess says. “Also, I attended multiple training sessions where I focused on jumping form and drills to improve my footwork. It all has made me a more well-rounded athlete.”
The H-K volleyball squad claimed its second-straight Shoreline Conference title and then advanced to the Class M state quarterfinals on its way to an overall record of 19-5 in Jess’s senior season. Jess led the Shoreline Conference with a hitting percentage of .315 and 355 kills to go with 106 digs, 147 service points, and 49 aces. Jess made the All-Shoreline Conference First Team and the All-State First Team, in addition to being selected as the Shoreline Conference Player of the Year. Now, Jess is getting ready for the next chapter of her volleyball career.
“My training through track helped me achieve All-State in volleyball,” says Jess. “I will be playing volleyball at Keene State in New Hampshire next year. I am looking forward to meeting new teammates who are just as passionate about volleyball as I am. I can’t wait to take on all the new challenges the college level has.”
With the winter season underway, Jess is enjoying spending time with her teammates on the indoor track squad. One of Jess’s goals is to top her all-time mark in the high jump.
“My high jump personal record is 5 feet. I plan to attempt 5 feet, 2 inches this season,” Jess says. “It’s my senior year, and my main goal is to have fun with my teammates. I also want to be a good role model for the young up-and-coming jumpers.”
H-K track coach Richard Dupuis calls Jess as an outstanding athlete who’s been a key contributor for the Cougars from the very beginning of her career.
“Jess has chosen to focus on two challenging events and has worked hard at them,” says Dupuis. “Jess is a talented athlete who could compete in multiple events, which gives us flexibility in what she can do for the team. She brings talent, focus, and commitment to her events and to the team.”
Jess credits Dupuis and his fellow coach Evan Woicik for her continued success in track and field. Jess views both coaches as mentors who she can go to if she needs help with anything in both athletics and in general.
“My jumping coach Evan Woicik is extremely dedicated to the team and myself. I have an incredible amount of respect for him and Coach Dupuis,” Jess says. “Without them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today.”
Jess is ecstatic that she was able to finish her senior volleyball season with no hitches due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jess knows that COVID could impact her track season, but she’s trying to stay as optimistic as possible.
“I try not to dwell on the pandemic and enjoy the things I can,” says Jess. “Overall, I’m glad we even have a season.”