Colony senior is making the jump

DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - It doesn't take long to figure out what motivates David Registe.

The Colony High School senior is determined to be the best.

And that determination and a gritty work ethic has made Registe one of the state's top track and field athletes.

Last season. when he placed first in the long jump at the Alaska Schools Activities Association state high school track and field championships, he couldn't figure out why people were cheering.

&#8220I knew that I won, but I wanted that state record,” he said. &#8220That's my biggest goal this year.”

Competing in just the long jump at the state meet, Registe soared 21 feet, 9.25 inches, nearly a foot short of the record set by West Valley's Dereck Ladson in 1997. The overall state record is 23-0.

But his state championship leap almost didn't happen.

Registe started competing in track and field during elementary school and took up long jumping while in middle school. But then he gave it up to focus on football and basketball during his freshman and sophomore year, only to pick up the sport again as a junior.

He quickly made his presence known, establishing the top jump of the season heading into the Region III championships. That is where disaster nearly struck. Registe fouled on his first two jumps, and needed a perfect jump on his third and final attempt in order to qualify for the state meet.

&#8220I felt a lot of pressure on that last jump,” he said. &#8220It would have been awful to have a great season wiped away because of three fouls.”

That 20-11 jump not only qualified him for the state championships, it also put in motion a chance to compete at the ninth annual Down Under International Games this July in Australia.

&#8220After state last year the coaches from International Sports Specialists contacted me and asked if I wanted to be part of a combined team from Alaska and Ohio at the meet,” Registe said. &#8220At first I was surprised, but then I was excited to be part of a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Registe is using the trip to Australia as motivation to achieve his ultimate goals.

&#8220I want the state record, and I want a college scholarship,” Registe said. &#8220I'm going for the record first. And then hopefully college will happen.”

He has spoken with a track coaches from the University of Arizona and Michigan State University this year, and they have set the bar high for Registe to earn a scholarship.

&#8220One coach told me I had to jump at least 24-feet,” he said. &#8220The other one said 23-6 is long enough. I think if I work hard I might be able to get close to that.”

Colony track coach Pat Cunningham agreed

&#8220If he works real hard, he can do whatever he wants to do,” Cunningham said. &#8220He just needs to focus and make the most of the short high school season.”

Entering the season as the defending state champion, Registe has worked on keeping his focus,

&#8220Friends tell me how much they are enjoying all their free time,” he said. &#8220But I think coming into the track season right after the state basketball tournament has helped me stay focused and not dwell on being the state champion.

&#8220It's not going to be handed to me,” he added. &#8220If I want to win it again I need to stay focused.”

Registe, who normally begins his flights planting his right foot on the take off board before each jump, needs some assistance from the community to make the trip to Australia a reality.

&#8220It's going to cost about $4,000 for the two-week trip,” Registe said. &#8220I would appreciate any assistance people can provide to make this once in a lifetime trip a reality.”

Registe and his family have established an account at Well's Fargo Bank to help cover the travel expenses. Donations can be made to account number 321420816 or by contacting the Registe family at 376-9443.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.