Mackenzie Horn knew at some point a huge jump was coming. The results were showing in practice for the Manheim Township senior, but was waiting for it to happen in a competition.
It came on Saturday at the Douglas W. Wesner Memorial Invitational at Kutztown. Horn jumped 13 feet, 3 inches for yet another win and a big PR. She cleared 13-0 the week prior, but Horn knew the potential was there to go even higher.
That jump moves Horn in the PA#1 spot, a place she occupied early in the season. Nationally, she is now ranked No. 4. It's also the second best jump indoors in Pennsylvania state history. Her former club teammate from South Williamsport, Katie Jones, holds the state record after clearing 13-9.25 at New Balance Nationals Indoor last year.
Horn credits a healthy start to her season for her improvement.
"Last year, i was injured for a long time," she said.
Her indoor best as a junior was 12-0, a height she achieved at the Burdette Classic in December. But she never got back above 12 the rest of the winter and placed 11th at states. Outdoors, she got over 12-6 and ended up third in AAA at states.
Her indoor season started off without a hitch and she jumped 12-7 right out of the gates in early December. Since then, Horn has been undefeated. She jumped 13-0 at the VaultWorX Facility last week, setting the stage for Kutztown and her 13-3.
Coaching and talented teammates at VaultWorX is something Horn points to for the big improvement. She's not done, though. Horn is targeting Jones' state record in the final month of the season. It may take that kind of effort just to win at states.
Pittston Area's Abby Norwillo has been on a tear this season. She has also jumped over 13 feet this season and has consistently been grabbing wins. Horn's teammates at VaultWorX, particularly Carena Nottoli of Hempfield, the reigning AAA outdoor state champ and current PA#3, will also pose a challenge.
For now, Horn is just focused on improving, and the results will surely come. By the way, Horn also went 8.98 to win the 55 meter hurdles on Saturday!
