PULLMAN, Wash. – The Idaho track and field team will make the quick trip across the border for the WSU Indoor Track & Field Meet this weekend, beginning on Friday and concluding on Saturday.
 
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A fifth generation Vandal, there wasn't much doubt where Jordyn Rauer was going to attend school.  And despite being asked to walk-on with no scholarship, Rauer accepted and joined the squad.
 
"I talked with Tim, and even though I was a walk-on he was excited to have a jumper," Rauer said.  "I just really loved track and I knew that even if I was walking on I'd get to be part of it here.  They're awesome coaches, and I get to do what I love and get an education.  Even though I was a walk-on, I knew I could keep pursuing track."
 
"When I was recruiting her I heard some things from other coaches in the area that I trusted," said Cawley.  "Mostly that she's talented and I should look at her.  So I spoke with her and her dad and offered here a spot on the team as a walk-on.  I didn't know a whole lot about her, but knew she was a good athlete, a good student and she had high character.  I knew she'd be a good fit on this team."
 
Rauer took little time to make an impact on the team.  She narrowly missed out on scoring at the Big Sky Outdoor Championships, placing ninth in the triple jump as a freshman, but had impressed Cawley enough through her work ethic and dedication throughout the year that she wouldn't be a walk-on for much longer.
 
"I got offered a scholarship coming into my sophomore year," said Rauer.  "It was awesome.  I've always worked really hard, I just didn't really have a coach.  So first, it showed me what good coaching can do, and second it showed that I had made the right decision.
 
"It meant a lot, and it showed that Tim believed in me.  He believed in me when he took me in as a walk-on and he further believed in me by putting me on scholarship."
 
"She's a very dedicated individual," Cawley said.  "She works very hard and does a lot of things right.  You can see it in the progress she's made, it really is a testament to her persistence.  She works very hard.  She wants to be great at everything she does and you see it every day."
 
It has definitely been worth it for the Vandals, as Rauer has improved her ranking in the triple jump at each Championship event she has competed in.  Last season, she took eighth indoors and seventh outdoors.  This season, Rauer is off to a tremendous start and is currently ranked first in the Big Sky after posting an indoor PR of 11.71 meters last weekend at the Lauren McCluskey Memorial Open in Moscow.  Aside from her general dedication to everything she does, Rauer attributes a lot of her success to coaching.
 
"Tim and I get along really, really well.  He balances me out," said Rauer.  "He cares a lot, and he knows I care a lot.  When things aren't going right, he just knows how to talk to me.  Just remembering to take things step-by-step and actually be coached."
 
While she has progressed athletically, her role on the team has also grown.
 
"It's pretty evident, just being around her, that she has a drive," said Cawley.  "She's a tough competitor.  Even just watching her develop and mature since she's been here, it's been a fun journey thus far.  She's not afraid to show that she wants to be the best and there's nothing wrong with that.  And with that, she has grown into being a leader on this team."
 
Being a leader among such a diverse group of student-athletes can be challenging, but Rauer has taken it in stride.
 
"It's really great because we all have a lot of respect for each other," Rauer said.  "I could never in a million years picture myself running something like an 800, and it goes both ways.  So just having that respect for each other and pushing each other to try new things.
 
"My favorite thing about track is when you have a good day, you did it all by yourself and it's very individual.  But if you have a bad day, you can turn to one of your teammates who had a good day and be proud there.  So it's individual and team, which I really appreciate."
 
With the season underway, Rauer has her sights set on the podium.  Or rather, two podiums.
 
"My goals for during the indoor season are to hit 40 feet and to score top-three in conference," said Rauer.  "Outdoor would probably be to score top-three again and make it to NCAA First Rounds.  And just keep jumping farther."
 
The team goals have become pretty standard here at Idaho.
 
"We were picked ninth.  We improved our rank indoor and outdoor last year, which was awesome, and we had our highest indoor finish that we've had.  Our team goal is always to beat our rank."
 
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Check back with GoVandals.com after the meet for the full recap and results.
 
To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho track and field/cross country by following the team on Twitter @IdahoTrack.