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For Butler’s Michelle Jacobson, quest for WPIAL track championships a chance to ‘make my dad proud’

BUTLER TWP — Michelle Jacobson just missed qualifying for the WPIAL Track and Field Championships last year in the shot put with a season high of 32 feet, 8 ½ inches.

A recent final throw of 35-1 during the Butler Invitational at Art Bernardi Stadium should do the trick.

It was a healthy personal best for the Butler senior, who is using the motivation of her final season and her dad’s memory to propel her to a district championship berth.

Related Article: Butler Invitational 2026 highlights, top moments, winners and photo gallery from major track and field meet

“I think it’s being a senior, and I think it’s making my dad proud,” Jacobson said.

Michael Jacobson died in January 2021 after a stroke around Thanksgiving and contracting MRSA on his heart that wasn’t caught in enough time to treat, she said. He battled addiction, but he was devoted to making his daughter’s cheerleading competitions when she was younger.

He was the kind of dad who brought cowbells and giant posters every time and never missed a competition.

Butler's Michelle Jacobson competes in the shot put during the Butler Track and Field Invitational held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Butler's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Related Article: Track and field honor roll: Top times, heights, distances in Butler County as of April 15

He did not get to see her compete for the varsity swimming and track teams as a diver and thrower — she didn’t start either sport until after he died — but Jacobson knows he would “be here every single time.”

She added: “It definitely made me sad (when he died). … He didn’t live his life as he should have, so I live my life, live each day to make him proud, I guess.”

Jacobson’s final throw at the Butler Invite was impressive. She went into the finals seeded sixth and knew she wanted to at least hold her placement but hopefully climb a spot or two against stiff competition.

She appeared to know the throw was great as soon as it left her hand. The announced distance drew a big reaction from her, and it jumped her to fifth overall.

Related Article: PIAA track and field 2026: Top girls athletes to watch in Butler County this season

“I have no idea,” Jacobson said when asked what the difference was on her final throw. “I told myself I wanted to be on the podium. Last year I got cut, so I think it was that.”

It’s the kind of distance she hopes will be enough to qualify for this month’s district championship at Slippery Rock University. She did not qualify for WPIALs in diving, so reaching it in track would mean a lot in her final year of high school.

“Overall (this year), I think it’s pretty good,” Jacobson said.

Butler's Michelle Jacobson competes in the shot put during the Butler Track and Field Invitational held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Butler's Art Bernardi Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
View and purchase Eagle photos at photos.butlereagle.com

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