High Jump Previews

Girls High Jump:

Editor Prediction: Niya Jeffers jumps 5-7 to win and score crucial points for Chester.

Year in and year out, the Girls' High Jump is always one of the closest events. This year, there are nine entrants within two inches of one another. They have all cleared 5-5 or higher.

Do you remember last year? In 2023, Sara McConnell shocked the field to win the title with a 5-6 clearance. She had only cleared 5-5 for the first time in the week leading up to the event. She has jumped 5-5 this year at the Mount Union HS Qualifier.

Two sophomores lead the state in the event, Milena Sciullo (Grove City) and Niya Jeffers (Chester).

Sciullo hit her mark at the SPIRE Ohio Preview Meet on January 27th, but Jeffers hit her mark more recently at the Tim Hickey DVGTCA Meet of Champions last weekend.

Jeffers has jumped 5-5 or higher in four of her five competitions this year. With Chester in the team hunt, we expect this sophomore to put it all on the line for her team. She could clear 5-8, though time will tell.

Another sophomore, Lexi Boiardi (Avon Grove), is also in the hunt. Boiardi has cleared 5-6 twice this season and is undefeated in the 2024 campaign. Can she surprise her two classmates at the front of the field?

Also, keep an eye on Destini Smith (Souderton), Brianna Lee (Penn Manor), Grayce Grazio (Crestwood), Isabella Tront (Garnet Valley), and Jaidyn Wiseley (Neshaminy).

Boy's High Jump:

Editor Prediction: Ewings upsets Smith, and wins on attempts at 6-8.

Can anyone take down Hayden Smith (Union-Allegheny Clarion Valley)?

This will be the senior's first PTFCA Indoor State Championship, but he is already a two-time PIAA 2A State Champion in the High Jump. 

During the last outdoor season, he went undefeated and cleared 6-8 five times until Nike Outdoor Nationals, where he finished second. It took him a couple of weeks to get back up to speed, but at last week's YSU High School Meet #4, he jumped 6-8.25.

If he's on his game, he'll be tough to beat.

Ty'Shawn Ewings (Harrisburg) cleared 6-8 at last week's Eastern State Championships. He is the only other Pennsylvanian to clear 6-8 this year, and it came at a good time for Ewings. He will have confidence as he looks to upset Smith. He was 16th at last year's PTFCA Indoor State Championship.

Xavier McGreal (Kennett) is the current reigning champion. He has only high-jumped a handful of times but cleared 6-5 earlier this month. He was able to win the title with a 6-6 clearance last year, so he'll be looking to repeat.

Episcopal's Joachim Johnson is a contender in the triple and the high jump. He has cleared 6-6 or higher in his last four competitions; sometimes, these championships come down to consistency. If he can match or better his season best of 6-7, he'll undoubtedly be in the running.

Also, keep an eye on Albert Morton (Coatesville) and Jayden Ekoko (Easton Area).