Isabella Parker captured the Class 5A state title in the high jump at the UIL State Track and Field Championships this May.

Isabella Parker cleared the winning height at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin during Day 2 of the competition.

"If you would ask me five years ago if I would be a state champ I would say oh no I would never," Parker said.

Five years ago, competing in the high jump wasn't even a thought for Parker.

"It was just a surreal feeling knowing that coming from not doing this to loving it and pushing myself I finally got a gold in Austin," Parker said.

The season also marked the end of a 53-year coaching career for assistant high jump coach Pete Martinez.

"You wait a long time for that one elite athlete to come along and Bella was the one," Martinez said. "I told her at the regional meet. She asked me are you going to retire? And I said yes I am. I'm going to walk out of those doors with you as a gold medal if we get a chance. It was exciting. It'll be something that I'll carry in my memories for many years."

Head track and field coach Judy Gutierrez said Parker set a goal at the start of the season and delivered.

"She had a goal at the beginning of the season of what she wanted to accomplish and to see her accomplish that and being there at the state meet was just an amazing feeling," Gutierrez said. "She put Mercedes on the map now for sure."

For Parker, the win meant more than a personal achievement.

"The Valley kids can do it too," Parker said. "Knowing that someone from a small city could make it out and prove that we have talent down here too. I didn't know if I was going to be able to make it there but with all the support that I've had and all the people that did cheer me on. I was able to get there. I feel satisfied."

Parker finished her high school career as a three-time District 32-5A champion, two-time area 32-5A champion, one-time Region 4-5A champion and a Class 5A state champion in the high jump. She also earned bronze in the 100-meter hurdles at regionals.

She will next compete at the Division I level with UTRGV as a Vaquero.

Track and field assistant coach Olga Adame said Parker's impact on the program will last.

"She's leaving that legacy behind," Adame said. "I know a lot of the girls are going to look up to her but it's something positive in our athletic program."