Harnessing lessons learned from failure finally paid off Friday for Hays High senior long jumper Dillon Baker.

By leaping a distance of 22-feet, 4.75 inches at the Region IV, 6A meet in San Antonio, Baker formally punched his ticket to compete at the UIL state track and field meet in Austin next month.

But earning a spot at state also meant navigating and overcoming a handful of bumps in the road, primarily missing out on the finals at the 2017 Region IV, 6A competition by one-quarter of an inch.

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