But a small piece of jewelry robbed Wittman of her momentum, and her region title.

The Hunter sprinter was disqualified after it was discovered she was wearing a leather necklace during the race. Wittman thought nothing of it.

She wore the necklace bearing a religious symbol - a fish - often.

Wittman never suspected the piece would cause her any trouble.

"I thought you could wear a religious necklace," Wittman said. "It wasn't even hanging. It was tight, too. I guess they saw it and disqualified me."

The Utah High School Activities Association Rule 4-3-3, 9-6-7 states "contestants shall not wear jewelry with the exception of religious or medical medals . . ."

Wittman may have protested the ruling, though her necklace was not a "medal," it was religious in nature. She did not, however.

And the lost region title was the closest she got to finishing on top after that. Wittman finished seventh overall in the 100 at the Class 5-A state meet. She had qualified for the 200 as well, but Wolverines coach Derrick Payton pulled her from the race after she injured a quad muscle.

These days, Wittman is more cautious. All of her jewelry stays at home when she heads for the track.

"I don't even wear earrings anymore because I don't want to take them out," Wittman said.

It will take more than a necklace to keep the Wolverine sprinter from dominating Region 3 in short distance events. Wittman is one of few runners in the state who can challenge 5-A favorites Nachelle and Natalie Stewart of Spanish Fork.

She already holds Hunter's school record for the 100 meters, which is 12.65 seconds. Wittman has her sights set on improving that record and also claiming the record for 200.

"She'll run with some of our guy sprinters and she'll be right on their hips," Payton said. "So she's pretty powerful."

Payton has channeled that power into other events, like the long jump. Wittman made dramatic strides in that event, at one point going from jumps of around 14 feet to making a jump at 16-10 1/2 .

Then again, Wittman possesses a kind of natural all-around athleticism that would make her a natural in a variety of events.

"She could probably throw the shot," Payton said. "She could probably throw the javelin. I just focus on [short-distance races] with her because I know that's where her strengths are at."

Wittman began competing in track when she reached ninth grade.

She didn't know much about it, having watched the sport once on TV.

But as soon as Wittman ran in her first short-distance race, she was hooked.

"It's like a thrill," Wittman said. "When you're right there at the starting line, and they're like, 'On your mark . . . ' you get a lot of adrenaline. You just want to run."

As much as she enjoys competing in track, soccer remains her No. 1 sport. Wittman played sweeper for the Wolverines and plans to try out for the University of Utah women's team in the fall.

Wittman file

* Jazmine Wittman is a Region 3 favorite in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump.

* Wittman holds Hunter's school record in the 100 meters, which is 12.65 seconds.