Boys' Long Jump
Kellin Valentine is in the midst of a monster season, jumping past 23 feet this year (Photo by Kathy Leister)
Who can stop Valentine? Anyone? Maybe...
Kellin Valentine of State College enters Sunday as the heavy
favorite in the long jump. Valentine, who didn't compete at indoor states a
year ago has been the only one in the state to jump 23 feet this year, which he
did at the PTFCA Carnival. Should Valentine have an off day, there are some
solid competitors looking to 'jump' at the opportunity.
The lone returning medalist from last season in the field is James Holt of Downingtown West. Holt was seventh a year ago, but comes in as the tenth seed despite jumping his PR of 21-10.75 earlier this month. It appears the field is much deeper than it was in 2015.
William Tennent's Stephen Testa will be one of many competing for a medal in the boys' long jump (Photo by Patty Morgan)
Jose Barbon of Conestoga Valley seemingly came out of nowhere when he PR'd by well over a foot at the Wyomissing Area Team Challenge with a jump of 22-4.5. If he can bring a similar effort on Sunday, Barbon will certainly be one to watch for. Right behind Barbon is West Mifflin's Micah Watts. Watts went 22-4 in the long back in January, but hasn't really come close to that since then. Still, Watts has it in him to put forth a good jump.
Schuylkill Valley's Brendan Sparr, William Tennent's Stephen Testa, and Bensalem's Caleb Appiah-Owusu make up a strong field. The medals are really up for grabs here. All 15 entries have a legitimate chance to take one home.
List of entries:
Event 28 Boys Long Jump (15)
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9 to the finals
State Meet: 24-04.50 3/4/1989 Ron Dickerson, State College
Name Year School Seed Mark
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1 Valentine, Kellin 12 State College 23-01.75
2 Barbon, Jose 10 Conestoga Valley 22-04.50
3 Watts, Micah 12 West Mifflin 22-04.00
4 Sparr, Brendan 10 Schuylkill Valle 22-03.00
5 Testa, Stephen 12 William Tenn 22-02.75
6 Appiah-Owusu, Caleb 12 Bensalem 22-02.50
7 Cook, Donoven 12 New Media Tech 22-00.00
8 Miner, Kier 12 Cumberland Valle 21-11.75
9 Sislo, Alex 11 LaSalle Coll 21-11.00
10 Holt, James 12 D-Town West 21-10.75
11 Averett, Dajone 11 West Catholic 21-09.75
12 Ritchie, Isaiah 10 Saint Joseph 21-09.25
13 House, Albert 12 North Penn 21-09.00
14 Kelly, Matt 12 McDowell 21-07.00
15 Verna, Charlie 10 Devon Prepar 21-05.75