Sandy Valley's Lexi Tucci thankful for historic track and field season after ACL injury

MAGNOLIA — One long jump attempt was enough for Lexi Tucci on Tuesday night.

In the final home track and field meet of her career, the Sandy Valley senior couldn't have asked for more.

Tucci improved her Stark County season best and broke her own school record when she cleared 18 feet, 1 inch on her only jump. It was a joyous moment for the talented multi-sport athlete who still wears a reminder of a lost season.

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A torn ACL sidelined Tucci for the entire 2023 season. Six months after undergoing surgery, she returned in time to play volleyball. A successful basketball season followed.

With a brace still on her right knee, Tucci is back and better than ever for the Cardinals track and field team.

"Track is my thing, so I do get a little mental about wanting to be here and wanting to keep moving forward," Tucci said. "Sometimes you get lost in that, so I've been really trying to slow down and be thankful I'm out here. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to jump again. I'm grateful that I was blessed enough to get back out here."

Tucci's comeback season has seen her break school records in the long jump, high jump (5-5), 100 meters (12.89 seconds) and as a member of Sandy Valley's 800-meter relay (1:48.46). Her 18-1 in the long jump was a giant leap compared to her initial modest goals.

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"After missing last season we were looking to get that 17-foot mark for a while," Tucci said. "I hit that a little over halfway though the season. Ever since then it has just been get to the 18-mark.

"I was very excited. I just knew it was a good jump. I knew I got a really good pop off the board. It felt really good to get that out there."

Tucci finished third in the high jump at this year's indoor state meet. She waited until the outdoor season do the long jump again.

Overcoming a mental barrier was another battle Tucci won.

"I struggled for a while," Tucci said. "Just mentally trusting my knee and the landing, I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it.

"It was kind of just like riding a bike. I did my first jump off the box we have, and it kind of felt good. I was like 'All right, I can do this.'"

Tucci made her only outdoor state meet appearance as a freshman. She finished ninth in the high jump.

After her record-setting senior season, Tucci will carry a ton of momentum into next week's Division III district meet at St. Clairsville. She also knows there are no guarantees.

"I'm definitely eager to get back to state, but it's obviously going to take some work," Tucci said. "I got a taste of it, and I'd like to get back there."

No matter what happens, it appears that Tucci's final high school season will be her final athletic season, period. She is talented enough to compete collegiately, but her plan is to attend cosmetology school.

"I kind of was on the edge, teetering back and forth if I wanted to continue or not," Tucci said. "I like the fun of the high school experience. I don't want it to turn into a job and lose the love that I had for it."

Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: After a lost season, Sandy Valley's Lexi Tucci rewrites records