It may only be the first few weeks of Indoor, but we needed that push to get our minds off the Cross Country Season. Luckily, the New York athletes didn't disappoint, reminding us that the Empire State is so much more than just its distance runners. Check out the performances that are getting us excited already for the Indoor Season.
Boys High Jump
Nothing like a huge Personal Best to kick off the Indoor Season. Joe McDonald (Kingston) came into the Season with a 6-4 Personal Best from last Indoor Season, only clearing 6-3 twice in his life. An abbreviated Outdoor Season ended in April, but he came into 2024 with a bang. In his debut at the Jim Mitchell Invite, McDonald cleared a lifetime best of 6-10, more than a foot ahead of second place. It's the highest jump in the State since Daniel Claxton (Smithtown) was over 7ft back in 2017. Only a junior, McDonald will now be chasing to tie 7-0 State Record, and maybe even surpass it.
Girls Triple Jump
The State Record Holder is picking up where she left off. Corintia Griffith (Webster Schroeder) put out a new State Leading 41-7.5 performance to open her Season in Rochester. It is just a few inches shy of the 41-11.5 State Record she set the year before. Griffith is the reigning State Champion, but only her Record Jump surpassed the 41-foot mark last year. She's already matched that in 2024, so we expect to see some real consistency over that barrier in the year to come.
B/G High Hurdles
Two reigning State Champions have already matched their previous selves. Jordon Quinn (Freeport) opened his Season with a 7.43 to win the North Shore Season Opener, then came back with a 7.48 to win the Nassau Coaches Invite. Quinn won the State meet in 7.42 in 2023, and it was his only time under 7.50 all season. He's already doubled that output in his first two outings.
Likewise, Jaice Dorsey (Susan Wagner), the reigning Champ in the Girls Hurdles, matched her winning mark in her debut. At the Staten Island Invite, she opened in 8.22, the exact time she ended her Season on with a New York State Title in 2023, on the same track to boot. Dorsey's best last year was 8.13, so there is still room to grow, but that magic barrier of sub-8seconds is on the horizon.
B/G Pole Vault
Just like the hurdles, the Pole Vault State Champs are back, and ready to raise the bar. Neil Howard (Taconic Hills) opened his Season unattached, clinching a 15-5 win way back in October at the Armory Trials. He swept the event indoors and out in 2023, going 15-9 at Ocean Breeze, and then a win at 15-6 in Middletown. Howard, a member of the Nike Elite program, will make his return to full competition soon, to defend his title.
Jumping in-season, Ella Galloway (Pine Bush) is back at similar heights. She cleared 12-6 at the OCIAA Developmental Meet this past weekend, setting the bar early. The clearance matched her winning heights from both Indoor and Outdoor States of last year. Her personal best of 12-8.5 came a week later at Nike Indoor Nationals, but the goal is to hit that much sooner in the Season for 2024.
Boys Shot Put
First meet, and Braiden Pulver (Shenendehowa) is now the third furthest thrower of the last five years. Only State Champs Matthew Auble (Warsaw) and Michael Pinckney (HS For Construction) have thrown further since before the COVID pandemic, and Pulver is looking to keep alive NY's renewed streak for a 60-footer every year. The mark is a six-foot personal Indoor Best, and sets up a great Season to come.