Mainer saying goodbye to WV

The realization hasn’t sunk in yet and Kayla Mainer said it probably won’t until her last event at this weekend’s State Track Meet in Pasco, where she will attempt to defend her 3A state high jump title.

A remarkable four-year career at West Valley, with its highs and lows, twists and turns, is about to come to an end.

Mainer was a three-sport star playing varsity in each all four years. Initially, she said, she was more focused on basketball. Ultimately, however, success as a volleyball player and high jumper have overshadowed a sport that ended with a bitter taste midway through last season.

First-year coach basketball Paul Voorhees was in the midst of building a program. Basketball and her club volleyball obligations conflicted.

Voorhees said in the interest of fairness to all concerned, he told Mainer that she would have to make a choice, which she reluctantly did.

“I was very disappointed,” said Mainer, the team’s scoring leader at the time. “I know we seniors were incredibly optimistic and wanted to do well. I wanted to work with him and wanted to help the team.”

It is evident, however, where Mainer’s future truly lies.

As a freshman, she high jumped 5-foot-4 and earned the first of three successive state medals, so far, in the event. She has improved her best to a school record-tying 5-7 this year, and is attracting college attention from schools such as WSU and Portland State.

“I think the track bug has really got her right now,” said her coach, Rick Kuhl.

Volleyball also became a passion for the power-hitting 5-7 leaper. WV qualified twice for regionals and she earned all-GSL status both years.

“I started enjoying and understanding the game more,” she said.

Earlier this spring she indicated that she might play the sport at Eastern Washington University, although that is in limbo.

“I could go three ways,” she said of her future. “I could play track or volleyball, or track and volleyball. Ultimately, honestly, I’d like to do both.”

This weekend in Pasco is Mainer’s high school swan song and she will be busy. She’s competing not only in the high jump, but in the long jump and on two relays.

“I’m kind of nervous about that,” she said. “I’d love to just focus on the high jump.”

Last year, she said she finished the high jump tied for first and checked to make sure she was the winner on fewer misses. Then she ran to the track for the 400 relay.

“Otis (WV coach Jim McLachlan) and Mr. Kuhl literally helped me untie my high jump shoes and laced up my spikes so I could run. That was pretty intense.”

Performance under fire like that, said Kuhl, is what sets Mainer apart.

“One thing that strikes me is that Kayla is such a good competitor,” he said. “When it comes down to crunch time she generally gets it done. She definitely loves to high jump, but when she has a chance to compete she does a nice job. And she can do a lot of things.”

Kayla Mainer said she will miss West Valley and she’ll be missed. But her future awaits.