CHICORA — Karns City senior Amber Saunders remembers the feeling she had after competing in the Class AA high jump at the PIAA Track and Field Championships last season.

She doesn't want to experience that feeling again.

"When I saw how badly I did, it inspired me to try a little harder," Saunders said.

And go much, much higher.

Saunders finished a disappointing 23rd last May in Shippensburg, clearing just 4 feet, 10 inches.

Saunders admitted she wasn't mentally prepared for that meet.

"You have to be positive," Saunders said. "If you go into a meet like that not confident — you can't be cocky, but, at the same time, you have to think you can do it — you are not going to perform well."

Saunders has concentrated almost as much on the mental part of her jumps this season as her technique.

In practice, coaches purposely set the bar high so Saunders is not intimidated by the height in competitions.

She also has developed a routine to shut her brain down as she gets ready to jump.

"I try not to think too much about the jump," Saunders said. "You are not going to perform well if you are overly worried."

Her new mental approach has paid massive dividends.

Saunders cleared 5-5 last week to set the school record she broke several times in her career.

The Class AA champion in the high jump last year cleared 5-5.

Saunders is not satisfied with that 5-5.

Her original goal heading into the season was 5-6, but she has since set the bar in her head to 5-8.

"It gives me something to look forward to," Saunders said. "I don't want to be satisfied with what I've done. I don't want to be, 'Oh, I got that goal, so I'll just relax now.'"

Saunders is well aware nothing is guaranteed. Saunders has to perform her best in the next meet — the District 9 Class AA Track and Field Championships today at Kane — or her season is over.

"I wouldn't want it to end badly," Saunders said.

Most likely, Saunders will punch her ticket to the state meet, where she will have one more chance to accomplish her main objectives.

"Since I was a freshman, I wanted a to get a medal," she said.

It helps that Saunders has been remarkably consistent this season. She said she hopes that consistency will carry her through the next two meets — the biggest of her career.

"It helps a lot being consistent," Saunders said. "I know if I just go out and do my thing, it will work out."