High Jump
Girls Favorite: Erinn Beattie Buena (SS) 5'10"
Leading Contenders: Skyler Daniel Upland (SS) 5'8", Lillianna Hebert California (NCS) 5'7" & Alexandria Florent (above) Harvard-Westlake (SS) 5'9"
State Meet Record: Latrese Johnson Clovis (CE) 6'2"
One of the most difficult events to prognosticate is the high jump. Multiple athletes are entered at the same height and with unpredictable nature of the event, it appears that Erinn Beattie of Buena is the favorite to win this event. She has the best jump in CA this season at 5'10" which she achieved at the Arcadia Invite, finishing 2nd behind new national record holder, Vashti Cunningham. As a side note, Cunningham no heighted at her own state meet in Nevada. Danield Skyler of Upland cleared the same height as Beattie at the SS Masters meet with both jumpers soaring over the bar at 5'7". Lilliana Herbert of California won the NCS MOC meet at 5'6". Alexandria Florent of Harvard-Westlake tied for 4th at SS meet but has cleared 5'9" this season.
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Boys Favorite: Isaiah Holmes Oakmont (SJS) 7'0"
Leading Contenders: Darius Thomas St. Francis (CCS) 7'0", Michael Burke Lemoore (CE) 7'0" & Darius Carbin Mt. Pleasant (CCS) 6'11"
State Meet Record: Lee Balkin Glendale (SS) 7'3.25" 1979
The road to the high jump state title is a tough one for the competitors here. The opening height will be 6'4" which will eliminate some of the contenders after only 3 attempts. It will be crucial for each jumper to select the right opening height and to clear the bar on the first attempt. Misses at any heights could lead to a quick drive/flight back home. It appears that multiple high jumpers could be deemed as favorites but since I have to pick one, I will go with Isaiah Holmes of Oakmont. He is one of three jumpers in CA to clear 7'0" this season and recorded the best jump at his section meet, 6'10". The other two jumpers who have also cleared 7'0" both won their individual section (Darius Thomas-St. Francis and Michael Burke-Lemoore). Other interesting entrants here include freshman Sean Lee of Trabuco Hills who cleared 6'9" at the SS Masters meet and Darius Carbin of Mt. Pleasant who will have a lighter load at the state meet with only the high jump and the triple jump.