An ‘Elite’ Champion CHS Track Star Simon Soars to Another National Title

Stephanie Simon continued her rise as one of the top high school track athletes in the country at the New Balance Outdoors Nationals in Greensboro, N.C.

Simon, who is entering her senior year at Chelsea High School, claimed first place in the long jump event in the Emerging Elite Division and third place in the triple jump.

Simon’s performance follows a sensational junior season in which she won the Mass. triple jump title and was selected an All-Scholastic.

CHS Director of Athletics Amanda Alpert said she wasn’t surprised by Simon’s dominating performance among the top juniors and sophomores in the country.

“I don’t think anything she does at this point will surprise me,” said Alpert. “She’s a hard worker. She’s dedicated to being better and she puts in the work. I’m never surprised by what she does, but I’m always happy to see how she improves.”

Simon’s winning jump at the Nationals was 19 feet, 3 inches, the best effort of her carer. Her mark in the triple jump was 38 feet, 8 inches.

The achievement marked her second national title. She posted her best jump on her first attempt.

“I was happy that I won,” said Stephanie. “It was a good meet with some really good competition. I usually do my best on the last day of a competition.”

Stephanie, who is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, was asked to rank the national title on her list of career achievements to-date.

“It’s a highlight because it was my best long jump,” said Stephanie. “But as far as the way I feel about it, it didn’t feel like a highlight – I did a good job, but I felt my indoor season was a lot more of a personal highlight.”

Stephanie’s sister, Martine, also a former CHS track standout and currently a student at Mass College of Art, was at North Carolina A&T University, for the Nationals.

Stephanie is on the radar of women’s college track programs nationwide. According to Alpert, there have been several correspondences from colleges.

“I believe that Stephanie would excel in any college setting mainly because she would have the support of her teammates and her coaches,” said Alpert. “I would like her to go to a college where she’s going to be challenged, where’s she not walking in as the top person, but where she has a lot to learn from her teammates and her coaches, and the ability to grow in college.”

In addition to beginning a summer job, Simon has started a summer workout schedule that will include weightlifting sessions at the high school. Next spring, she will compete on the brand new track surface at Chelsea Stadium.

Alpert, who considers Simon the best track and field athlete in school history, expects Simon’s list of championships to grow during her senior year  while training under the direction of head coach Cesar Hernandez, who has been an outstanding mentor to the CHS track star.

“The plan is to get a trophy case for all of Stephanie’s medals, plaques, and trophies, so when she graduates we can display what’s she accomplished,” said Alpert.

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