High Jump Star Jake Lamberth Will Compete At TSU And Hopes For A US #1


Today, the Texas Southern Relays (TSU Relays) will be right back on the track for Day 2 of the best track action that will happen this weekend in the nation.

But, this is track AND field -- some of the best field athletes in the nation will also be walking through the stadium to put up some big time marks.

That includes Poth senior high jumper Jake Lamberth.

Lamberth is already one of the best jumpers nationally and is coming to TSU Relays to get a taste of a loaded field. "I have been looking forward to this meet since August, it is going to be a great experience with great comp."

He is already the top jumper in Texas and has the third best jump in the nation with his 7-1 jump at the Navarro Meet. With a guy who has gone 7-2 and another at 7-3 in the nation, Lamberth has his eyes set on those higher heights. Although he comes from a small town, he has turned that small town guy role into one that makes him one to be reckoned with even beyond the Texas borders and he believes he can be the best. "I'm hoping to go 7-2 or 7-3."


Hard work, dedication, and being a student of the event and his craft has helped Lamberth progress to where he is now. But, being from a small town, there are always big time assistants who help get them where the are going, including one bigger than any other. "My family, coaches, friends have helped me make this season unforgettable, God has blessed me and I can't thank him enough for it!"

His season started back on the first weekend of the calendar year. In January, he went 6-7.5 at the Texas A&M High School Indoor Classic, but he took second place. That would be the last time in 2018 that he would not win a competition. Lamberth came back strong the next weekend, here in Houston at the Carl Lewis Invitational where he jumped 6-10 for an indoor PR and has never looked back. 

Lamberth is not afraid of competition, in fact, he seeks it. He travels far and wide to make sure he can get the best jump competition he can find. He has competed at the Great Southwest Classic where only the best prep high jumper in decades, 7-6 high jumper Vernon Turner was able to beat him.

"In the big meets I love the rush, it's a feeling like no other I truly believe being at the bigger meets helps me prepare for performing at the next level." That is perhaps what led him win the 2017 AAU Junior Olympic Games high jump championship.

All of these things are supposed to prepare and mold him for one title that has eluded him thus far....a UIL state title.  Last year, he finished in second place in the 3A competition. "As my coach says jumping at these meets is going to help you jump and feel comfortable at the state meet, and I couldn't agree more."

He also has a good model in the sport to aspire to be like. Canadian track and field athlete Derek Drouin who competes in the high jump is who Lamberth looks up to in the event. "He is the reigning Olympic Champion, having  he shows a tremendous amount of passion, humbleness, and love for the event."

So, how does a 7 foot high jumper get started? Do they always know they have hops? Do they just get started jumping high heights? Well, maybe, but not always. "I started running track in the first grade at one point in time I was the fastest kid in Laredo, Texas. That was when I moved to Poth and met coach Mckinney and he called me out to high jump and he changed my life." But things didn't start off with high bars. Lamberth was just clearing 5-9 and 5-10 when he first started.

That was then and this is now. Lamberth has goals, and by that I mean big goals...or should I say high goals. "By the end of my season this year, I want to be at the state meet with the bar at 7-4 and I want to clear it . I also want to break the state record. Career wise I want to be able to jump at the Olympics.

Today, Lamberth will be in a big city at a big track meet. However, he is just a small town boy with big time dreams doing big time things and he looks to make his second trip to Houston this year count and lead to a new PR.

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