The dynamic realm of winter sports possesses star athletes of outstanding academic and athletic ability. One brightly shining constellation amidst the sea of stars is senior triple jumper Mia Stimpson, whose expert athleticism and hard work have prepared her for the most exciting final season in school history. From hoops to heights, Mia has leapt far past the line drawn in the sand, captivating sports enthusiasts throughout the state.
Stimpson entered high school competitively locked in on basketball, making Varsity as a shooting guard in the ninth grade. Her oldest brother, North Atlanta alum Andrew Stimpson, set the standard, passing the torch to Mia at a very young age. His legacy cast a long-lasting shadow over Stimpson. Yet, she never returned to the challenge’s demands, sacrificing the typical excursions of teen life aside to perfect her craft on the court.
Triple jump initially entered the athlete’s mind as a rebound and rest from basketball. Mia began taking field events more seriously after a long struggle with tendonitis and a torn ankle ligament, which removed basketball from the equation. Stimpson’s switch from basketball marked a complete change in mindset. The athlete saw previous setbacks as opportunities to explore the unwavering possibilities of the sandpit. “I viewed starting the sport as another chance to prove my strength and capabilities to myself and my coaches,” Stimpson said.
By the start of junior year, Stimpson balanced both basketball and jumps in the same season, quickly rising as a dominant force in the region. Her performances were consistently impressive each weekend, gaining the respect and support of peers and competitors alike. At each meet, Mia continued to push herself to reach new heights, breaking down her personal records, raising the bar for the competitive region, and jumping the state qualification (35-10’) at the 2023 sectional meet. Stimpson jumped 36-8’ at state, scoring in 11th place out of several other competitors. “My teammates motivated me to keep pushing myself in the hardest times of the season,” she said.
As Stimpson’s reputation grew, so did her ambitions. Following the end of her junior year, she focused solely on jumping, competed in summer track competitions, and eventually rose to a top ten state ranking through the summer season. The jumper garnered attention from the world of Division I athletics, including the College of Charleston, Appalachian State University, and Columbus State University. The offers, a culmination of her hard work and sacrifices set the stage for an exciting next chapter in the coming years. “After over four years of sacrifices and so many sleepless nights, it feels great to finally be recognized by those outside of my community,” she said.
So, where to next? After gaining further acceptance into additional prestigious universities, the University of Miami and Georgia Institute of Technology emerged as top choices for the triple jump prodigy and her next four. Her thrilling academic accomplishments – a stellar 4.1 GPA, countless honors awards, and the undying commitment demonstrated on the field – provide a mosaic of valuable experiences that any college would be lucky to have.
