ST. PAUL — Due to a stroke of bad luck, Austin junior Carolyn Hackel wasn’t able to compete the way she wanted to as she missed out on the long jump finals at the Class AA state track and field meet in Hamline University in St. Paul Friday.

Hackel suffered a sprained ankle on her jumping leg in Thursday’s practice and it kept her from getting anywhere near the distance she was jumping just a week ago at the Section 1AA meet.

Hackel had jumps of 14-9.75, 15-6 and 15-9 at state after she had set an AHS record with a distance of 17-4.75 just a week ago.

“It’s twice the size it should be, a lot of tape on it,” Hackel said of her ankle. “I just couldn’t get the power off it that I usually do.”

Hackel feared the worst when she first sprained her ankle, but she when she found out it was just a sprain she never considered sitting out on Friday.

“I don’t like giving up on things,” Hackel said. “As soon as it happened, I was laying in the sand and I was wondering how I’m going to compete with this. Then when I started walking there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I was going to do it.”

Hackel said the pain wasn’t extreme, but it was enough to keep her from jumping her best. She wasn’t pleased about not making the finals, but she was glad she was at least able to compete.

“Just competing was my goal after what happened,” Hackel said. “A sprained ankle isn’t that bad, but it will affect you the next day.”

Hackel finished 23rd in the long jump out of 24 jumpers.