Boys' Long Jump Preview
It's been a big year for long jumpers and that should continue into Sunday with a very open competition for the top spot in the event. The top-ranked entry is Ezra Mellinger of Lampeter-Strasburg. Mellinger, a junior, has come a long way this winter since not qualifying for outdoor states this past spring. He jumped past 22 feet twice before a monster leap of 23-5.75 to win at the PTFCA Carnival and take over the state lead.
But the PA#1 will have his share of challengers. The field will be without Wissahickon's Ahmir Johnson (PA#2; eighth in 2017) and Germantown Academy's Kyle Garland (PA#5; second in 2017) due to injuries, but the field is still stacked without those stars.
Ayden Owens of North Allegheny will be a factor for the win. The multis-specialist will be busy with rounds of the 60-meter hurdles to get through, but he's shown that he can easily deal with that. He jumped 23-3.5, just off his all-conditions PR, to win at TSTCAs last week. Look for Owens to put up more big jumps this week. Brendan Sparr of Schuylkill Valley (PA#4) always steps up at the right time. He was fifth a year ago and has won two AA outdoor state crowns in his career.
Among the other contenders for the win here includes Edner Dorwil of George Washington (PA#6), Isaiah Ritchie of Saint Joseph's Prep (PA#8), and Akeem Cooper of Imhotep (PA#9)
Boys' Long Jump Entries:
Event 28 Boys Long Jump (17)
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Meet Record: 24-04.50 3/4/1989 Ron Dickerson, State College
Name Year School
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1 Bolles, David 12 Malvern Prep
2 Cooper, Akeem 12 Imhotep Inst
3 Cox, Titan 11 Manheim Twp
4 Dorwil, Edner 12 G Washington
5 Duncan, Marshall 12 C B East
6 Ekoko, Brendon 12 Easton Area
7 Hamilton, Lance 11 State College
8 Hefkin, Jake 11 State College
9 Johnson, Ahmir 12 Wissahickon
10 Mabins, Caleb 11 McDowell
11 Martin, Colson 10 Spring Grove
12 Mellinger, Ezra 11 Lampeter Strasb
13 Owens, Ayden 12 North Allegh
14 Ressler, Darien 11 Hempfield (3
15 Ritchie, Isaiah 12 St Joe Prep
16 Sparr, Brendan 12 Schuylkill V
17 Williams, Adontrell 11 Lower Merion