Pennsylvania Freshman Improves To No. 6 All-Time In Girls Long Jump

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Virginia Beach might be Avery Lewis’ favorite place to compete in 2021. Saturday at the adidas Indoor Nationals, the multi-talented sophomore from Parkesburg, Pa. improved on her nation-leading long jump mark as she shattered the freshman indoor record, soaring 21 feet, 2.50 inches (6.46m).

Last month at the Virginia Showcase, Lewis had a breakout performance at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, collecting wins in the 200 (23.91) and long jump (20-8). Lewis’ long jump mark, which she achieved on her final attempt, reset her own Pennsylvania indoor record and is No. 6 on the all-time high school list. Emma Seetoo of Chantilly, Va. finished second with 19-10.25 (6.05m). 

Lewis, who is coached by her parents, clocked 7.55 in the girls 60-meter dash to move on to Sunday morning’s semifinal round. 

RESULTS

IMG Academy FL junior Jayden Slade, who broke Noah Lyles’ high school 200 indoor record last Sunday running 20.62, was the top qualifier in the boys 60-meter dash, running 6.71 to advance to Sunday’s semifinals. 

The IMG Academy FL girls team, which set a US#1 time in the distance medley relay Friday evening, was back at it on Saturday. The quartet of Jais Ward, Tatum David, Emilia Puskas and Carly McNatt ran a blistering time of 8:56.87 to win the 4x800 title, which is No. 4 all-time and the fastest by any team in eight years. McNatt ran an anchor split of 2:09.89 to bring home the title. 

The IMG Academy boys 4x800 relay made it a sweep, as the team of Isaac Carney, Cole Piotrowski, Vince Mwangi and Noah Winters won in a U.S.-leading time of 7:51.92. 

The boys long jump title went to Fort Myers, Fla. senior Leonard Mustari, who improved on his US#3 mark with 24-5.75. Mustari also ran the top 60-meter hurdle time (7.80) to advance to Sunday morning’s semifinals. 

Top-ranked high jumper Kayren Garrett of Lawrence Central, Ind. cleared a season-best 7-2.50 (2.19m) to win the title. 

Ariel Pedigo of Baton Rouge, La. won the girls high jump crown in a US#1 clearance of 5-10 (1.77m). 

In the boys championship 2-mile, Sam Rich, a junior from Fort Mill S.C., clocked a US#1 time of 8:58.15, the only runner to go under 9 minutes. 

Sydney Thorvaldson, a senior from Rawlings, Wyo., who clocked a US#1 time of 9:47.95 earlier this year at the VA Showcase, made the trip back east again, easily winning the 2-mile title in 9:55.09. Michigan standout Audrey DaDamio finished second in 10:11.14. A total of 18 girls finished under 11 minutes in the event. Thorvaldson and Dadamio are both listed to compete in the mile Sunday. 

Senior Brandon Miller of Fenton, Mich. clocked a US#4 time of 21.18 to win the boys championship 200 meters. 

Senior Hannah Douglas of Bradenton, Fla. (23.69) held off Autumn Wilson of Austin, Texas (23.72) to claim the girls 200 title. 

Motor City Track Club of Michigan (Morgan Roundtree, Emon Miles, Drelin Mapp, Nonah Waldron) won the shuttle hurdles record with a US#1 time of 32.54 seconds. The boys title went to Baltimore City Track Club MD (Vaughn DeVaughn III, Shawn Getzen, Dvonte Hearns, Isaiah Howard) in a US#1 time of 31.88.