Joey Walker of Jonathan Alder clears the high jump bar during the 2021 Division II state track and field meet. Walker will look to defend his 2021 state championship when he jumps today at The Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
(Journal-Tribune file photo)
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Last year’s Division II boys state high jump champion will take to the same stage today.
Jonathan Alder senior Joey Walker will be among a number of competitors who have their sights on state gold.
The high jump will begin today, 9:30 a.m., at The Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Walker qualified for the state meet after placing third during the regional meet that was held last weekend at Lexington High School.
He finished with a jump of 6-4, four inches short of the 6-8 mark he cleared to claim the state title a year ago.
Walker won the event during a Union County track and field meet that was held early in the season at Marysville High School.
He cleared 6-6 and missed three attempts at 6-8.
At that time, Walker told the Journal-Tribune he felt he’d clear that mark at some point during the campaign.
“I’ve reached 6-6 three times this season,” Walker said during a telephone interview with the newspaper. “One was at Marysville and the others were at Benjamin Logan and Miami Trace.”
There will be one flight of prelims before the finals on Saturday
The jumping order is as follows (with seed mark):
-Sean Kaminski, Huron senior, 6-6;
-Logan Saylor, West Liberty-Salem senior, 6-2;
-Dariyonne Bryant, Portsmouth senior, 6-1;
-Kyle Maltarich, Millersburg West Holmes sophomore, 6-1;
-Brandon Cromer, Taft senior, 6-5 ½;
-Josh Martin, Eaton senior, 6-3;
-Ayden Bath, Vermillion senior, 6-8;
-Jermaine Foster, Cleveland Glenville junior, 6-5;
-Dominic Malito, Girard senior, 6-3;
-Kayden Davis, Swanton junior, 6-2;
-Jaycob Kolleda, Brookside senior, 6-4;
-Devon Bellomy, Fairland 12, 6-0;
-Lucas Ray, Zane Trace senior, 6-1;
-Sam Lee, Toledo Central Catholic junior, 6-3;
-Grant Butler, Marion River Valley junior, 6-3;
-Walker, Jonathan Alder senior, 6-4;
-Micah Oliver, Elmwood sophomore, 6-3;
-Cooper DeFrange, Woodridge senior, 6-1.
“I’ve looked at the competition I will be facing,” said Walker, “and I think I’m rated fourth or fifth.
“Ayden Bath won our regional with a jump of 6-8.”
Walker feels he can achieve 6-8 this weekend at the state, adding that will probably get him to the awards stand.
“I’ve been there in practice a few times, but never in a meet,” he said.
To repeat as state champion, however, may require a feat of larger athletic prowess.
“I think it’s going to take 6-10 or 6-11 to win the state this year,” he said. “My technique is going to have to be very good.
“I’m going to have to get good pop off the ground and rotate my hips well,” said Walker. “Everything will need to be perfect.
“I hope I can get that high and repeat as state champion.”