Records could fly by the wayside in jumps

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

 
Several records -- meet records or national records -- could fall this weekend at the New Balance Nationals Indoor.

 
And the jumping events are the first place to look likely record-setters.

Keturah Orji, senior at Mount Olive NJ, is quite likely the best triple jumper in U.S. high school history for girls. She has jumped 44 feet twice this season at The Armory and there is simply no question that she is capable of going past the national mark of 44-6.75 by Ke'Niya Richardson of California (2007).

We know this because Orji jumped 44-11 last summer.

In addition, she has stated her desire to break the state record in the long jump. And that record happens to also be the national record, 21-7.50 by Carol Lewis in 1981.

Orji has jumped 20-8 twice this year and could be due for another breakthrough. In New Jersey, horizontal jumps are not part of the state meet format so Orji gets few opportunities to really show what she can do indoors.

Whether or not the records go down this weekend, the Georgia signee is pointing to 45-foot jumps in the outdoor season. That's where her focus is.

Competition will come from Kate Hall of Maine in the long jump. She is US#3 with a best of 19-11 (from Dec. 28). Javonne Antoine of Maryland is the next-best triple jumper in the field, at US#4 40-0.75.

In the girls pole vault, Desiree Freier of Justin Northwest TX returns to The Armory with a chance to build upon her 14-foot clearance at the Millrose Games (Feb. 15). Freier has already competed in three meets outdoors in Texas but she will come back inside with an eye on Mary Saxer's 2005 meet record (14-2) and Tori Anthony's 2007 national record (14-2.50).

Ellen DiPietro of Marshfield MA owns the US#1 in the girls high jump at 5-10 -- cleared once and all the way back on Dec. 28 -- and is undefeated in seven meets this winter. There are 10 girls entered with bests of 5-8 and this competition could be one of the most unpredictable of the entire meet.

In the boys pole vault, the record watch will be one for Devin King of Sumner LA, who comes to New York with a US#1 17-8 clearance from Feb. 15. If he can get that high again he may move the bar above Andrew Irwin's 2011 indoor record of 17-9.25. Texan Noah Gilfillan (17-1) and New Yorker Todd Uckermark (16-10) are next in line.

The boys long jump competition will get an infusion from the West coast, with Californians Adoree' Jackson and Nate Moore in the mix, along with super sophomore Harrison Schrage from Oregon. Without US#1 Mustaqeem Williams present, the title feels up in the air.

Jackson (24-1.25) and Moore (23-11.75) went 1-2 at the Simplot Games but they could be tested by East coasters Isiah Moore NC and Isaiah Brooks PA, plus Dewayne Reed of LA.

A sensational boys triple jump field includes seven of the top 11 performers in the US this winter. None have jumped farther than John Warren of Prince George VA, who has gone 51-3. That's 16th on the all-time list.

Sophomore Ja'Mari Ward IL is one to keep an eye on. He broke out with 50-2.50 on Feb. 22. Darrell Jones NY, Keandre Bates TX, Devon Willis NY, Moore and Jared Lovelace NY have all surpassed 48 feet this season.

Multi-talented Steven Dunbar from Tallwood VA is the favorite in the boys high jump. He's the only athlete in the meet with a seven-foot clearance. He made US#2 7-1 back on Jan. 9. Bradley Jones VA, a junior, is three inches back at 6-10.