ST. PAUL — Lyle-Pacelli’s Sarah Holtz had a chance at first place, but she had to settle for fourth place in the high jump at the Minnesota Class A state track and field meet in Hamline University Friday.

The top five jumpers at the state meet all finished at 5 feet, 4 inches and Holtz, a junior, had one last shot at the 5-5 mark with a chance to take first, but she wasn’t able to clear it. Still, she got on the podium at state for the first time after she took 13th at state last year.

“There was a lot of pressure on the last jump knowing that if I cleared it I would be a state champion. It’s disappointing that I missed it. I’m still proud of what I accomplished,” Holtz said. “It’s a positive, but it’s also disappointing because I know I can jump higher than I did today. But I was right there with the other jumpers, and that’s a really good feeling.”

Katy Hedlund of St. James Area won the meet by a tie-breaker because she had the least missed attempts in the field. Holtz was able to stay in the hunt for the top spot after she cleared her third and final try at 5-3 to get to the final four.

Holtz said that finishing in the top four at state is an accomplishment that she’ll cherish.

“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s what I’ve worked on for two years now. To make it on the podium at state is a huge accomplishment and I’m very proud,” Holtz said. “It’s going to push me to work hard over the summer because I know I can get back here and do better. It’s really motivating.”