Committed: Jade West

The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled.

From a young age, track and field was a natural part of Jade West's life. Her father, La'Mar West, was a former thrower for Niwot High School and later returned as a coach. Growing up surrounded by sports, she found herself drawn to the discipline. In sixth grade, she decided to give it a try, and it quickly became a passion that stuck.

"I realized I loved throwing when I began competing in high school," West said. "At meets, there are so many girls who are there because they have an understanding and love for what this sport truly is."

West's dedication has certainly paid off. She is now a back-to-back state champion in shot put and the reigning state champion in discus. "Shot put has always clicked well for me, but discus has been a bit of a learning curve," she said. "Being able to put all the right pieces together to prove not only to myself but to people around me that I can be great at both has been such a blessing."

Despite the high expectations that come with being a defending state champion, West has embraced the challenge with confidence.

"With this sport, you gain confidence and a sense of pride," she said. "Even if I don't win every meet I go to, I know that when state rolls around, I'll be ready to compete."

One of her proudest moments came at last year's state championship. "When I threw my last attempt for discus and realized I had won, it was surreal," she recalled. "The last few years have been a rollercoaster when it comes to discus, so to realize that all the work my coaches and I put into this resulted in a win was incredible."

In the offseason, West trains with REAL Training, a club team that focuses on intensive weightlifting and technical fine-tuning. She credits consistency and dedication for her steady progress. She also leans on her faith to keep herself grounded and surrounds herself with family, friends, and teammates to create a positive atmosphere.

West is particularly grateful for her coach, Craig Sherman, who has played a significant role in her development. "Oftentimes he has believed in me and my abilities more than I have believed in myself, which I cannot thank him enough for," she said.

West draws inspiration from elite throwers such as Ryan Crouser and Chase Jackson, admiring the perseverance they have shown in overcoming physical and mental challenges. She also acknowledges the immense support system that has helped her along the way.

"My entire coaching staff has supported me and pushed me in every aspect of being a student-athlete," she said. "My friends, both on and off the team, have shown me so much love and support, and of course, my family has been there for me every step of the way."

Balancing training, school, and other commitments is no easy feat, but West has found ways to make it work. "Being a student-athlete means being a student first," she said. Outside of track, she has participated in Niwot High School's theater productions, navigating overlapping schedules with the support of both her coaches and directors.

As she prepares for her final high school season, West has her sights set on throwing 50 feet in shot put and continuing to progress in discus. "I plan to win state again and continue to show up and compete for my team."

She knew she wanted to compete at the collegiate level when she discovered how much she thrives on competition. "Competitive drive is something that fuels me, and I can't imagine not doing this sport past high school," she shared. "I want to do it for as long as I can."

The recruitment process, while at times stressful, ultimately led her to the University of Wyoming. "When I visited, it felt like a second home," she said. "Laramie reminded me of a smaller version of Boulder, which I loved. Talking to Coach Paul Barrett, who has a coaching style similar to my high school coach, also played a big role in my decision."

As she prepares for this next chapter, West is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that await her in college. "I'm excited to branch out, learn new things, and compete against new faces while developing strong relationships with my future teammates," she said.

For younger athletes hoping to compete in college, her advice is simple – "trust the process." "As long as you keep working, trust the process, and perform to the best of your ability each day, the results will come with time," she said.

As she heads to Wyoming, West plans to double major in kinesiology and health promotion as well as religious studies. While she is not certain about her career path yet, she hopes to work in athletic training at a Christian institution while serving as a worship pastor.

With a bright future ahead of her, West is ready to continue making her mark both in the throwing circle and beyond.