Vaughn an instant hit since picking up long jump

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

NEW HAVEN, CT -- It wasn’t long ago when Dyshon Vaughn was lacing up his sneakers and dribbling a basketball during the winter months. Now, flash forward to the winter of 2018 and Vaughn has emerged as one of the top long jumpers in the country. Vaughn won the Connecticut State Open long jump title Saturday at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in a personal-best leap of 23 feet, 8.50 inches (7.22m). 

A switch from basketball to indoor track has paid off for the Career Magnet CT senior. 

“When I played my sophomore year, I looked into track to run because I’ve always been kind of fast,” he said. “I never knew they had the field events … I just came out to get some cardio in for basketball. Basketball was going pretty good for me, (but) not as good as track. So I decided maybe I should give basketball up and train hard with my coach (Kareem) Jackson to become the best I can in track, and it’s been tremendous.”

It is Vaughn’s first indoor season (he’s competed in outdoors), but the senior hasn’t missed a step. His mark of 23-8.50 puts him at No. 6 in the country as of Saturday. He’s consistently been in the 23-foot range this entire month. 

“It’s weird because I just started doing it maybe two years ago,” Vaughn said of track and field. “To be ranked No. 6 it’s a little bit weird ... it’s such a good honor and I feel like it’s kind of normal and somewhat weird to be one of the top guys.”

Vaughn credits his work ethic and desire to be the best for his success. In two weeks at the New England Championships, the senior has his eyes on the 24-foot mark. 

“The plan for New Englands is to go out there like any other meet and do my best and hopefully I can jump to the 24 mark,” Vaughn said. 

Danbury defended its title with 44 points, while Hall was second (37) and Derby was third (26). 

Junior Malcolm Going of Danbury won the 600 (1:20.29) a top 10 time in the country and also ran the anchor for the Hatters on the winning 4x4 to seal the team victory.

Derby junior Ja’kwan Hale went 6-8 (2.03m) in the high jump for the victory, while Alexander Korczynski of Windham ran 4:15.49 in the 1,600, currently No. 4 in the country to defend his title. 

Fairfield Prep’s Drew Thompson, who will run for Dartmouth this fall, won his first indoor 3,200 Open crown in 9:12.66. 

“This week I wanted to come out hard and try and run a quick time,” Thompson said.

It was a similar scenario as Thompson and Cheshire senior Brendan Murray took to the front of the pack with Murray leading almost the entire race. 

“I tried to go by him a couple times, to maybe see if he wanted to trade off the lead, he obviously wanted to lead,” Thompson said. 

It wasn’t until the final 600 meters when Thompson made his move and took the lead for good. His time was less than six seconds from the record held by Prep graduate Christian Alvarado of 9:07.63.

“It was in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t the main focus,” Thompson said of the record.

At New Englands, Thompson will focus on the 3,200 and 4x800 as well, hoping to qualify the relay for Nationals in March. 

On the girls side, Greenwich senior Emily Philippides led the Cardinals to a dominant team win with 56 points. Danbury was second (32) and Hillhouse and Hamden tied for third with 28 points. 

Phillippides won the 1,000 (2:58.08), ran anchor on the winning sprint medley relay (4:18.18) and ran on the second-place 4x400. The Cardinals won three events and placed runner-up in three others. 

“This time of the year, it’s a team effort and I really try to focus my energy toward the team and kind of just have fun with teammates,” Phillippides said.

The senior said it’s been an up-and-down year individually but is looking for a strong time at New Englands in the 1,000. 

Other top highlights included Hamden senior Aisha Gay winning the 300 in 39.56, with Rocky Hill sophomore Elizabeth Stockman claiming the 3,200 in a time of 10:45.29, just five seconds off Hannah DeBalsi’s Open record. 

Fairfield Ludlowe freshman Tess Stapleton claimed the 55 hurdles in 8.36. Glastonbury’s 4x800 relay started off the day with a meet-record 9:21.45.