THE POST-OLYMPIC YEAR is off to a hot start on the high school side of things, with Will Sumner in the 500 & 600 and Shawnti Jackson in the 50 & 60 each claiming a pair of national records. But they’re by no means the only preps doing damage to all-time lists.
The Millrose Games got its own story; here’s the best of the rest of January action:
The High-Flying Moll Twins
In ’20 & ’21 Amanda Moll (Capital, Olympia, Washington) became the highest frosh- and soph-class vaulter ever. With turnabout being fair play, twin sister Hana is now the highest junior ever, indoors or out,as she has been the dominant one so far this year.
They started their seasons at the Texas Expo Explosion (Belton, Texas, January 01) with Hana clearing 14-7¼ on her third attempt to become the No. 2 prep ever indoors (=No. 4 in/out). Amanda claimed 2nd a full foot behind. Hana missed her attempts at a record 14-9¼.
Two weeks later, at Reno’s Pole Vault Summit, Amanda improved to 14-2, but Hana slipped over 14-8 on her second attempt to improve her class (and national age-16) record to 14-8 before missing at a national record 14-9½.
Then came Hana’s 14-7¼ to 13-9¼ win at Millrose and she now claims 3 of the 4 highest indoor marks ever.
Willis & Gorriaran All Over All-Time List
Roisin Willis (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) and Sophia Gorriaran (Brown, Providence) were the Nos. 1 & 3 All-Americas in the 800 last year and they’re back at a variety of distances. At the Virginia Showcase (Virginia Beach, January 14-15) Willis won their clashes in both the 500 and 1000. In the shorter race the times were 1:10.90 (4, 4 HS) and 1:11.26 (5, 5 HS). In the longer the clockings were 2:43.34 (x, 4 HS) and 2:43.52 (4, 6 HS).
The next week at New York’s New Balance Games, Gorriaran soloed, winning the 300 (39.21) and 600 (1:27.70—x, 7 HS). Then Willis beat Gorriaran at Millrose, 2:03.28 (x, 7 HS) to 2:03.66 (x, 9 HS).
For A Change Of Pace, How About The Discus Indoors?
Throwing the discus in roofed facilities is rare, but it happens. Like in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where on December 17 & January 14 Zane Forist (Carson City-Crystal, Carson City, Michigan) combined for three breakings of the all-time best.
In the first meet he reached 197-2 on his first of four throws to break the 189-0 set by Jason Baskett (Mead, Spokane) in ’90. On his second he improved to 202-9. At the second meet, second attempt was again the charm as Forist whirled a 207-9.
More Notable All-Time List Marks
Boys — 200, Nyckoles Harbor (Carroll, Washington, DC) 20.79 (4, 4 HS); 1000, Rheinhardt Harrison (Nease, Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida) 2:22.77 (2, 2 HS).
Girls — 60, Kaila Jackson (Renaissance, Detroit) 7.26 (=9, x HS). ◻︎