Triple Jump Previews

Boy's Triple Jump: 

Editor Prediction: CJ Simbiri puts in a quality effort, but gets beat out by Sowell who jumps 49-3.5.

Jordan Sowell. Jordan Sowell. Jordan Sowell.

Not only has he been the best in the state, but he has been the best in the nation.

It all dates back to January 14th when Sowell jumped 51-1 to clear a 14-year-old state record and win the Kristian Marche Memorial Invitational. He has led the nation ever since.

Sowell finished fifth at the 2023 PTFCA Indoor Championship but is the heavy favorite this year. He should be hard to beat if he can deliver another high-40 mark.

Chambersburg's JJ Kelly won last year's championship, but he traded in the spikes for basketball shoes this season. He cracked the 1000-point mark this season but will not be competing in this year's PTFCA Championship. That left Sowell as the top returner in the state (from last year's championship).

CJ Simbiri (Delaware County Christian) currently ranks second in the state with the 47-2.25 he jumped at the 2024 Millrose Games. He outperformed Sowell at that meet and beat him by several positions.

Simbiri also won a PIAA 2A State title in the event. He could be Sowell's best competition.

But Joachim Johnson (Episcopal Academy) may have something to say about that. Episcopal Academy will be scrounging for every point in the team battle. Johnson is an explosive jumper and has cleared 6-7 in the high jump this year. His best triple jump (47-0.5) came on December 21st, and he consistently jumped in the 45s.

Kyle Moore (Emmaus) is the reigning PIAA 3A Outdoor Long Jump Champion. He jumped a ridiculous 24-2 in the long jump this year, and you better believe that a mark like that can translate to the triple. He has only triple-jumped four times but hit a mark of 46-11.25 at the UC High School Invitational a month ago.

As a dark horse, Kyle Moore is an exciting pick.

Also, keep an eye on Luke Cramer (Mount Lebanon), Jayden Brown (Ridley), and Brooks Britt (Freedom (11)).

The Girl's Triple Jump

Editor's Prediction: Destini Smith stuns the field with a 38-3.5 mark to win the crown.

The Girls' Triple Jump is exceptionally intriguing. 

Nataly Walters (Palmerton) is relatively far down the leaderboards, 12th in the rankings. She has only triple-jumped once this year. She jumped 36-2.75 to win the ESU Warrior Classic on January 5th.

In a lot of ways, she is a lion waiting to pounce. She finished third at last year's PTFCA Indoor Championship before winning PIAA Outdoor titles in the Long Jump and Triple Jump. And before last year's PTFCA Championship... she had only triple jumped once.

On the contrary, our current state leader has triple-jumped three times this season. Lily Hendricks (Central Mountain) leads the state with a 38-1.5 that she jumped at the River Hawk High School Invitational. She is undefeated this year in the triple and long and finished fifth at last year's PTFCA Championship.

Milena Sciullo (Grove City) is the only other girl to have cleared over 38 feet this year. The sophomore jumped 38-1 to win the TSTCA Indoor Championship. She has also cleared 5-7 in the high jump. The youngster could sneak her way onto the top of the podium.

Souderton's Destini Smith has also come close to the 38-foot mark. She cleared 37-8.75 to win the Tim Hickey Meet of Champions, edging out Madison Gee (North Penn), who is also considered a contender for this year's crown.

Rose Kuchera (Canon-McMillan), Lauren Howard (Hempfield 7), Shaniyah Weidler (Susquehanna), and Jay Olawaiye (Quaker Valley) finished sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth at last year's PTFCA Championship. They'll all be in the hunt.