Blooming Prairie senior Gabe Kartes competes in the long jump at the subsection meet in BP last week. Kartes will compete in the Class ‘A’ state triple jump Friday in Hamline University. -- Herald File Photo

BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Blooming Prairie senior Gabe Kartes has already competed in two Class ‘A’ state football tournaments and now he’s taking one last shot at a state championship.

Kartes is preparing to compete in the triple jump at the Class ‘A’ state track and field meet at Hamline University Friday at 3 p.m. and he’s got his sights set high.

His state qualifying jump of 43 feet, 2 inches is not only the best jump he’s had in his career, it’s one of the top four distances recorded in Class ‘A’ this season.

“My goal is to win a state title, but it’s going to be pretty tight competition,” Kartes said. “I’m pretty consistent around 41 feet and hopefully I can hit 43 again.”

Kartes, who won the Section 1A meet Thursday, received some early momentum when he hit 42 feet on one of his early jumps. That set the table for his next jump.

“I had jumped a 43-4 in Hayfield this year, but it was barely a scratch,” Kartes said. “When I hit that 42, I got kind of jacked up and a lot of my next jump was adrenaline.”

Kartes who played wide receiver for the Awesome Blossoms this fall, said the triple jump is much different than going over the middle and hauling in passes. But he said it does help to have state experience.

“I think the mentality of it helps and it involves speed, agility and explosion. But other than that they’re pretty different,” Kartes said.

Kartes is hoping to finish his high school career on a high note.

“It’s motivating me knowing that this is going to be my last time doing it,” he said.