PREVIEW: UK HS Invite and Updated Heat Sheets

FIELD

High Jump


The ladies high jump has three standouts who are very comparable. J'Alyiea Smith (OH) 5'9", Carly Hinkle (WV) 5'8.75", and Anna Hall 5'8.5" are all very tight. Smith and Hinkle competed last season placing second and fifth respectively. This one could get down to who hits their jumps first. Get there early to see who comes out on top.


On the boys side, it will be tough to top Jaron Brooks' US #1 from last season when he cleared 7'2". Rahman Minor (IN) returns after placing second with a jump of 6'10" behind Brooks last season. This year he is accompanied by Jeremy Hayton (OH) 6'9" and Cannon Riddle (OH) 6'8". These three look to be a step above the rest but who knows who can jump out of their mind on a good day?!


Pole Vault


Carson Dingler (GA) returns to the venue that she has the field house record for set last year. She is looking for more and has brought the competition with her. Courtney Long (GA) is travelling from Georgia as well to complete in a great pole vault environment. They will be joined by a plethora of other 12 foot vaulters including: Nicole Bagby (OH), Maddie Holland (IN), Jaci Bickett (KY - Henderson County), Kristina Leggas (KY - Lafayette), Jenna Frantz (OH), Hannah Jefcoat (GA), Graysen Simmons (OH) and Kim Spritzky (KY - St. Henry). Just for reference, last year we only had one vaulter clear a height over 12 feet. Now we have 11 ladies that have already accomplished that feat before this meet. So watch out for some crazy competition at the vaulting pit.


Not be overshadowed, the boys bring in a big group of Ohio heavy hitters Matt Peare (OH), Austin Goolsby (OH) and Logan Konst (OH) all of which have cleared 15'8" or higher. This group should push the group of 6 other vaulters who are 14'6" or better.


Long Jump and Triple Jump


One of the main attractions to keenly watch for is all world talent Jaimie Robinson (IL). Robinson will start things off in the long jump where she is already having a solid season ranked #1 in Illinois 19'2.75". The University of Alabama bound Robinson, who is ranked #10 in the US in her "secondary event", is the defending champion. Izabella Sabharwal (DC) has the second best mark coming in and looks to improve upon her 9th place finish in 2016. The field house record is 19'1". Will this mark go down?


Robinson also looks to claim the triple jump title as she did in 2016 with a jump of 39'11.25". Her PR of 41'10.5" that she earned at New Balance Nationals Outdoor good for third place would place her #2 nationally on the current indoor rankings. Other top jumpers include Harleigh White (MD) and Sydnee Larkin (CO) both with jumps beyond 40 feet.


The top Kentucky mark belongs to Grace Slater (KY - Paul Dunbar) who placed 20th in 2016 in the long jump. Chimond Vaughn (KY - Louisville Male) is the top Kentucky competitor in the triple jump with a 7th seed PR of 37'8".


Ja'Von Douglas (GA) leads the way for the boys in the long jump with a PR of 23'6". The senior has not jumped yet this indoor season, so it has yet to be determined if his marks from the 2016 track season will be matched or what progress was made since May. He will be challenged by Austin Allen (MD) and Micah Oberhausen (IN).


In the triple jump, Langston Stephens (MD) has the most impressive mark with a 45'7" but Kevin Snyder (NC) is not far behind. Tamron Keith (KY - Trinity) is the top Kentucky competitor and has a shot to take the title as the fourth best entry mark.


Shot Put and Weight Throw


Kathleen "KD" Young (IL) has been a traveling record setter this season. Last weekend in Ohio, she became the first Illinois girl to break 52-feet in the shot put. Young tossed a mind bloggling 52'4" at the Tifflin Open. Young remains in the US #2 spot by almost four feet! Young is the two time meet champion and meet record holder. She will also take her talents to the weight throw where she was 13th last season at this meet.


The new face of throws in Kentucky will look to begin his reign as a sophomore. Bryan Hudson (KY - Scott County) now has the spotlight to himself with Landon Young graduated. He will have his work cut out in the shot put with Jabari Bennett (MD) but the weight throw seems a little more on lock. Regardless, there will be some implements thrown very far in Nutter Field House.