Sumner’s Ferencz had open-heart surgery. Now she’s thriving at state track
Whenever Savannah Ferencz steps onto a track or approaches a runway, she reflects on the journey that led her to the state’s biggest stage.
Just 10 months ago, Sumner’s standout underwent open-heart surgery. When she struggled to breathe after track events last spring, multiple visits to local doctors and cardiologists uncovered a congenital heart defect — an anomalous right coronary artery (ARCA).
Forced to quit summer track and follow the Junior Olympics from her hospital bed, Ferencz’s recovery began. It was only six weeks before she was back on the track, competing with her club in September.
“I look around me, and I know I couldn’t do it by myself,” Ferencz told The News Tribune. “It was not just me. My coaches are so invested in me, and they really want what’s best. My teammates, through everything, are just there for me before competitions. It doesn’t matter… they’re ready to show up. And that’s just the best feeling, because you really need that support.”
Thursday afternoon, Ferencz was all smiles at Mount Tahoma High School — just hours before she finished runner-up (38-6.25) in the 4A Girls Triple Jump at the WIAA’s State Track & Field championships.
“Now, here I am,” she said.
Before visiting her doctor last year, Ferencz thought she had asthma, or perhaps a negative reaction to something unknown. A standard heart screening proved otherwise, inspiring her to host a schoolwide heart screening event at Sumner High in February. She partnered with Nick of Time Foundation, which raises awareness about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), to give back to the valley community that once rallied behind her.
Three months later, a storybook season continues. The junior authored new Sumner records in the triple jump (39-5.25) and long jump (18-10.5) before claiming the 4A District 3/4 long jump title at Kent-Meridian High School last weekend.
There’s a chance for additional state hardware after taking home the silver medal in Thursday’s 4A Girls Triple Jump. Ferencz is among the contenders for the 4A Girls Long Jump title on Saturday, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in Tacoma.
“I really can’t say that it was my strength alone,” Ferencz said. “It was just everyone around me, and God. I’m just so blessed by that experience, too, because then I got to come back and be coached by just the best coaches.
“I’m looking forward to just pushing myself as hard as I can. I mean, all of this has built up to now, so I can’t change anything. I’m just going to work my hardest.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Sumner’s Ferencz had open-heart surgery. Now she’s thriving at state track."
