No disrespect to the 2019 season, but the numbers just did not show that it was a strong season performance wise in the high jump, when compared to 2020. This year, the athletes and the performances were looking good and they were getting high.
Yes, there were seven girls to record 5-10 jumps and two more to go 5-9 last year. However, 5-6 would have made you a top 50 jumper last year. While there aren't any 5-9s or 5-8s yet this year, but jumping 5-6 would only rank you in the top 33 this year and there are already seven girls who have jumped 5-8. It was only the first weekend in March.
As for the boys, there was only one jump at 7-0, only seven other boys cleared 6-10, and only a total of 14 boys jumped 6-8 or over. We already have a 7-0 clearance, three at 6-10 and eight other boys have cleared 6-8. Again, the season was only in the first weekend of March.
Part of the reason 2020 is off to a great start is because many of the jumpers were young jumpers last season. A year later, they appear to be stronger and more experienced with the extra year.
Yet, there are some young jumpers this year who are already making a waves, like Flower Mound freshman Riley Ward. She is tied for the top mark on the season with her 5-8 and is undefeated on the season.
Many of the top high jumpers were just getting started, but there were some who haven't even started. The 2019 UIL 6A boys champion Eli Stowers (7-0) hadn't even jumped yet. Over the past few years, he has started his season in the first week of March, but was unable to this year because of the Caronavirus suspending the season.
Carter Bajoit of The Woodlands currently has the top 2020 mark with his 7-0 mark. The Texas A&M signee has plenty ofcompetition in practice with two of his Highlander teammates pushing him. The Woodlands senior Adam Clark and sophomore Turey Stoudemire both have also cleared 6-8 this season and they keep the competition level high in practice.
Check out the 2020 Girls and Boys High Jump leaderboards.