CIF State Meet Preview: Field Events

CIF State Championships
Jeff George

High Jump


The Favorites:


The girls at the top of the rankings are so tightly bunched, it's impossible to pull just one athlete out here. Cassie Ackemann has cleared at least 5' 9" in three of her last four meets (she only needed 5' 2" in section semi-finals to advance, so that can be excused). Iesha Hamm shares a season best of 5' 10", and she has also jumped well recently (over 5' 9" twice, no lower than 5' 7" in her last four meets). Those two have the best credentials coming into the state meet, but (as you can see below) there will be a lot of competition for them.



You have to believe this has been a frustrating season for Sean Lee. After clearing 7 feet twice in 2016 (plus 6' 11" three additional times), the junior has struggled to get higher than 6' 10" this spring. He has cleared 6' 11" once, and we hope his difficulties have been due to heavy training rather than nagging injuries. And isn't it good to still be the favorite for the state title even after a rough season?


Who's Hot:

After clearing 6' 10" at the Sacramento Meet of Champions, Jake Grimsman has not jumped lower than 6' 8" (something that even Lee can't claim). In fact, you have to go back to April 1st to find the last time he went less than 6' 7", and that kind of consistency is the key to success at the state meet. Earnest Sears actually beat Lee at last week's Masters meet, on misses as both of them topped out at 6' 7". Sears has been very inconsistent this spring, but he did clear 7 feet twice in 2016 - including at the state meet, where he finished 2nd.


Other Contenders:

You certainly have to think that Cassidy Palka will be a factor this weekend, even though her season best is 5' 8" and she hasn't gone higher than 5' 5" in her last 4 meets. She had a similar run-up to the state meet last year, and then won it with a 5' 9" PR! Chinenye Agina has been over 5' 9" this season but seemed to struggle lately, although she did jump 5' 7" at the Central Section Masters. There's a similar story for Katie Hurst, who cleared 5' 9" the last weekend in April but has only produced 5' 5" and 5' 6" jumps since - those may get her to the finals and even into scoring, but almost certainly won't be enough to win. Finally, don't count out the young upstart, Victoria Plummer: she has been a little flat as her freshman season has ground along, but she has a lifetime best of 5' 9".


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