Jumps
The Big Names
We almost created a "basically everything" section just for Centerville's Yariel Soto, but decided to add him into the jumps section instead. Arguably the top overall athlete in the state, Soto is probably most known for his jumping prowess after his multi-event fame.
Soto returns for his final indoor season as the second best pole vaulter and long jumper among returners, boasts a career best triple jump (43-0.5 -- 2017) that would put him in the top six, and also has cleared 6-4 in the indoor high jump, tying him for second with four others who accomplished the feat last season. Soto could, if he decided to, score significant points in each of the four jumps events at the state meet. Last indoor season, though, he shook things up, competing in only three events - the 400 dash, pole vault, and long jump - and winning two of them - the 400 dash and pole vault. He placed fourth in the long jump.
He's already proclaimed that he's taking a shot at the state record in the pole vault so we can probably expect to see him going for the repeat there. His 15-9 currently ranks behind only Dalton Shepler's 16-0 clearance from mid-January. He has already cleared 15-0 twice this season, including a 15-3 clearance at the first Dave's Running Sunday Series. After a strong season in the long jump both indoor and outdoor, I think we can expect to see Soto go after his 23-3.5 indoor best and the state title.
So where else could we see him this March? Well, his 49.25 best ranks him first in the state among returners in the 400 so we may see him seek out the repeat in that event, as well. Could he compete in a fourth event? The multi-star has the chops, but which one would he eye? The high jump could be a good place to start or the triple jump, but we could also see him in the shorter sprints. After all, he has run 7.33 in the 60 dash and 11.23 in the 100. Regardless, expect this phenom to score some major points for his Centerville squad in whichever event he decides to compete and continue to push himself into the national headlines.
Del'Mario Hairston - Lake Catholic
Lake Catholic will be getting plenty of points from their superstar jumper/sprinter Del'Mario Hairston.
Hairston returns as the top long jumper and reigning indoor state champion. His 23-8 mark sits just ahead of Yariel Soto and is also sixth among returners in the entire country. He finished fourth in the long jump at New Balance Nationals and could cruise to victory this indoor season. After clearing 24-5.5 this outdoor season, an outdoor season in which he did not participate from April 13th-July 5th, Hairston will no doubt be rearing to go this winter.
He's not slouch in the sprints, either, as he enters as the 5th fastest returner in the 60 dash, 8th in the 200, and 6th in the 400. That's 18 points on his own right now. Watch out for this phenom to finish out his senior year with a bang.
Dalton Shepler - Vandalia-Butler
It was a huge year for pole vaulting in 2018, but Dalton Shepler will be helping make sure this year is just as stellar. Shepler cleared 16-0 feet for the first time last indoor season, making an enormous two foot jump and finishing second at the state meet behind Yariel Soto.
Shepler is tied for eighth among returners in the entire country in addition to his top billing in Ohio and will be a frontrunner for the state title this spring.
The high jump is Etaijen Easter's to lose this season as he enters the 2019 season a full five inches ahead of the next closest returner. His 6-9 clearance from last season's state meet earned him the gold medal and he should have no problem repeating this winter. He's tied for fourth in the entire country among returners and finished his outdoor season tied for 12th among non-seniors with his 6-10 clearance. He could be a factor in the long jump as well, though, after leaping 23-1 this outdoor season and finishing 7th at the state meet.
Mentioned briefly in the sprints section as the fourth fastest 60 dash returner, Wright is the top returner in the triple jump and sixth among long jumpers.
His 46-0.5 mark is a full foot ahead of the next closest returner even though he only competed in the event once last winter. In fact, that's the only triple jump mark he has posted in our database indoor or outdoor. We may see him more in the sprints as he didn't compete in the long jump at state either, but if he goes to the jumps pits this winter, he could snag some serious points for Euclid.
The Up-and-Comers
Matthew Reardon - Canton McKinley and Devon Lander - West Carrollton
Reardon and Lander are tied for the top spot among long jump returners with their 20-7.5 personal best. They are tied as the ninth best returners in the state as a result. Reardon pulled ahead outdoor with a 21-2.5 clearance, but both should be competitive for a top 8 spot this winter. Reardon has also put together a strong hurdles resume so far and could be competitive in the 60 hurdles.
Mondra Curry - Gahanna Lincoln
Mondra Curry cleared 40-10.25 in the triple jump as a freshman and is the ninth best returner in the event. While his long jump mark of 18-11.5 may not jump off the page, his outdoor best of 20-1 has him on our watch list moving forward. Keep an eye of Curry as we move through this winter.
Event to Watch
Pole Vault
As previously noted, the pole vault has been an interesting event nationally over the past year and Ohio will surely provide its own fireworks. Dalton Shepler leads the way with his 16-0 clearance, but Yariel Soto - just behind in 15-9 - is looking to repeat as the indoor state champion. He cleared 15-7 outdoor while Shepler topped out at 15-0. Norwalk's Jake Sommers cleared 15-3.5 last winter and Tyler Wasson (Beavercreek) will come back for 2019 with a 14-9.5 mark. Three more boys return with 14-0 clearances and it may take a 14-0 clearance to crack the top eight this spring. The battle between Soto and Shepler will be exciting to watch throughout the season.
Related Articles/Videos
- D1 Boys High Jump (OATCCC State Meet 2018)
- Boys DI Triple Jump (OATCCC State Meet 2018)