VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (EYT/D9) — Hayden Smith has won his fair share of high jump championships over the years.
Three District 9 titles. Two PIAA outdoor crowns. A PIAA indoor state championship with a career-best 6 feet, 11 inches two weeks ago in State College.
Two AAU Junior Olympic titles, too.
Add an indoor national title to the list.
(Pictured above, Hayden Smith)
Smith, a senior at Union High School and a member of the Clarion Comets indoor track and field team, soared over the bar at 6-7¾ on Saturday night to win the high jump at the Adidas Indoor Nationals.
His effort tied the meet record.
“I’m especially proud of myself,” Smith said. “Me and (jumping coach Dave Sherman) got a week to work in nice weather last week. We moved my takeoff back a couple of feet, so we’re getting over the bar good. It’s just a matter of keeping it going. Keep getting the reps.”
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Smith was unaware he had tied the meet record. After securing the win, he raised the bar all the way to 6-11¾ to chase his personal best.
His first two attempts weren’t good, he said. The third he nearly cleared that height.
“I thought it was 7-2,” Smith said of the meet record. “But it happened to be the same height I got. If I would have known that, that it was the same thing, I would have gone up to 6-8.”
No matter, Smith will take it.
This was Smith’s first indoor season. He competed in just three meets before the state championship event two weeks ago and dominated there. He made the journey to Virginia to test himself against the best in the nation this weekend.
Smith was disappointed, though, that the only jumper ahead of him in the country this indoor season, Christian Hackett from North Carolina, didn’t compete.
“I was kind of bummed about that,” Smith said. “I love competition. I love having people like that around to give you that extra boost to get over the next height.”
Smith will now turn his sights toward the indoor season with Union/A-C Valley.
He’s chasing a couple of big milestones.
First, he wants to win a fourth D9 title. Then a third state championship.
He also wants to clear 7 feet and perhaps chase the state mark.
“I definitely feel like I’m getting there,” Smith said. “I think I have a little bit more. I just have to be patient.”
Redbank Valley, Keystone, and Union/A-C Valley sports coverage on Explore and D9Sports.com is brought to you by Heeter Lumber.
