Before this season, the long jump wasn't in Ashley Amato's portfolio.

The Plum senior had concentrated past efforts on the 100-meter hurdles, 100 dash, 200 dash and 4x100 relay.

But at an early-season meet, Amato sprinted down the long jump runway and leaped into the Plum record books.

She elevated her own record with jump of 18 feet, 1 inch April 13 at a meet with Penn Hills and McKeesport.

That mark is one foot better than the original record coming into the season.

“To be honest, I still don't totally know what I am doing,” Amato said about the long jump.

“I just run and jump. My experience in the hurdles, with the leg strength and push off, has helped. Coach Tony (Morinello) has worked every day with me. It's a whole different concept. I guess it's working.”

Amato feels she still can increase her distance in the event. With more fine-tuning and technique, she wants to possibly challenge the WPIAL record in the event.

Hempfield graduate Maddie Holmberg owns the WPIAL record with a mark of 19-3 set at the WPIAL finals at Baldwin in 2014.

Amato already has surpassed the state-qualifying standard.

“We knew Ashley was that good of an athlete that she would do well in the long jump, but we didn't think that she would get to 18-1 this quickly,” Plum head coach Nick Oto said.

“But she is an ultimate competitor. She's always focused, no matter what she is doing, She gives 100 percent every day in practice and works like she's the hunter. No matter what she's accomplished, she's not satisfied.”

Amato, along with her Plum teammates, are looking for big things this Friday at the Mars Invitational. Competition is set to begin at 1 p.m.

“The long jump is certainly about speed and power, and Ashley has that,” Oto said.

That speed and power has lifted her as a favorite to again earn medals in both the 100 dash and 100 hurdles at WPIALs and qualify for the PIAA championships.

She also has fared well this season in the 200 dash and is seeking the school record in the event — 25.48 — set by Bria Jay in 2010.

Amato this season lowered her record time in the 100 hurdles to 14.82. Last year at WPIALs, she teamed with Shannon Barr, Cara Degrano and the graduated Haley Pilston in setting a school record of 49.78 in the 4x100 relay.

“It will be interesting to see what she does at WPIALs,” Oto said.

“She has the ability to go to states in four (individual) events. I don't know if she will do all four. We might have to make a decision or two. But it's a nice problem to have.”

The WPIAL qualifier, the first step to the ultimate goal of the PIAA meet, is May 12.

“During workouts, I think about what I have left this season, and I think about my goals,” Amato said.

“I just want to work as hard as I can so I can be my best at WPIALs for me and for my team.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-388-5825 or at mlove@tribweb.com.

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