Notre Dame’s Claire Pfautsch signs with SEMO after standout senior season
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – Years of work in the triple jump have led Claire Pfautsch to this moment.
After earning top rankings in Missouri in both the triple jump and long jump, the Notre Dame Regional High School senior is set to continue her track and field career at Southeast Missouri State University.
Pfautsch ranked second in Missouri Class 5 this season in the triple jump with a mark of 38 fe
et, 2 inches. She also ranked among the state’s top long jump athletes.
Family members and coaches said her athleticism, combined with a background in gymnastics, helped her develop the confidence and technique that came together during her senior season.
“She’s found her routine and warmups and she’ll go off and do her thing,” said Ryan Long, boys and girls field events coach. “I don’t have to worry about her. She’s that senior athlete that a coach is excited about that just shows up, does her job, and she’s very dedicated to school.”
Long said Pfautsch’s confidence continued to grow throughout the season, helping her performances improve.
“She helped me figure it out as an athlete and a coach,” Long said. “It’s clicked for
her, and she’s starting to explode because she’s getting confidence in herself and how she jumps.”
Pfautsch said she once considered leaving home for college, but the opportunity to continue competing close to family changed her perspective.
“It’s actually really exciting,” Pfautsch said. “Growing up I always thought I wanted to get away, but getting an opportunity to continue the sport that I really love and enjoy doing — it’s exciting because I get to see more friends and family for another year.”
Pfautsch said her proudest accomplishment is not necessarily her rankings or distances, but her determination.
“My most impressive thing to me is not my numbers,” she said. “It’s just how I keep going.”
She said the support shown during her signing celebration is something she will remember most.
“I didn’t know it was going to be as many people that actually decided to come,” Pfautsch said. “It was nice. It was heart-touching.”
Long said Pfautsch’s personality and leadership have made her a respected teammate and athlete.
“She’s easy to talk to. She’s easy to get along with,” Long said.
Coaches said Pfautsch’s confidence and leadership continued to grow throughout her senior season, and she now plans to carry that momentum to the collegiate level.
