Looking to the leaderboards, Section 5 has been dominating the Field Events like never before. Six of the possible twelve State Leading marks are held by Section V athletes. So heading to the State Qualifier, we knew the action was on the in-field. By the time we left, another State Record had almost fallen.
We previously had highlighted the ongoing battle in the Long Jump pit, where Freshman Aiden Bryant (Midlakes) recently overtook Rhoan Kaulder (McQuaid) for the Freshman State Record in the Long Jump. Well, one month after that article was posted, the tides turned. Khaulder, the reigning State Champ (yes, as an 8th Grader) in the Long Jump let out another monster jump at Sectionals, to reclaim the Freshman State Record at a distance of 22-7.5, just three inches short of his 8th Grade Best.
But the story doesn't end there.
Bryant had an ace up his sleeve. The long jump was working well. Why not try the triple, too?
That push for the double jumps proved massive at the State Qualifier. Bryant, who averaged 40-ft for the majority of the Season, qualified for Sectionals with a 41-6, improved to a 43-11.5 while at Sectionals, and transferred that to an incredible 46-0 performance at the State Qualifier.
In less than a week, Bryant went from a toss-up to make finals, to heading to the State Meet, only behind the State Leader. It also makes him the second best Freshman ever at the event.
It just so happens, another Section 5 Freshman is the only one ahead on that All-Time list. Back in 2012, Jimmy Shih (Webster Schroeder) saw a similar rise. Only jumping 41-11 in the month leading up to the Qualifier, Shih launched a 46-8.5 to take 2nd. He translated that to a 5th place finish at States a week later, as only a freshman.
Luckily, Khaulder and Bryant will both have that same opportunity. Khaulder took 2nd in the Long Jump, sending himself to States to defend his title. And Bryant, taking third in the Long and second in the Triple, will be there doing double duty as well. Plenty of time to improve upon their efforts.
