Those National Medals are Sweet!

It was HOT in Greensboro but it was a clear day for jumping. The original field was supposed to be 188 jumpers at the National Elite level. Only about 50 boys showed up to jump.  

The starting height was 1.72m. Wesley came in at 1.77m and cleared it on the first attempt.

He cleared 1.82m on the first attempt also. 

And he cleared 1.87m on the first attempt. 

At this point, there was a six way tie for first place, including Wesley! 

The next height was 1.92m. Wesley's PR is 1.93m. He missed the first two attempts and cleared the height on his third attempt. 

Only 9 jumpers moved on to the next height, 1.97m. Wesley missed all of his attempts but he was SO close. Only two boys cleared the height. Since the top 8 boys medal, our Wesley came in 5th place overall!!!!!!! We stayed for the medal ceremony, which was very nice and got some good pictures of Wesley and his sweet looking medal. 

To celebrate, we went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom and then crashed out at the hotel. 

Under Armour Nationals at IMG

Saturday Wesley had the opportunity to compete in the inaugural Under Armour Nationals held at IMG Academy. There were 17 competitors in the boys high jump, divided into two flights. He almost cleared 1.92m but not quite. He finished 4th in his flight and 11th overall. Super proud of all of his accomplishments this season. 

Wesley's highest clear jump at 1.87m. 

 

IMG Senior Commitment Day

Wednesday morning was the Senior Commitment Day at IMG Academy. We celebrated in the basketball complex. Over 400 seniors from the ten different sport programs got to walk across the stage and announce their name and where they are going to continue their academic and athletic development. The dress code was suspended for today so that they could wear gear from their new colleges. 

Each sport program came through the arch to their own music. Here is the track and field entrance. 

Dan McKee the head of school speaking to open the event. 

Track and Field Head Coach Mark Napier shared about the successes of the track team before the seniors walked across the stage. 

Wesley Allen - St. Leo University

We're excited to start cheering for our very own St Leo Lion!!

Our Favorite High Jumper

The photographer at IMG sent through some cool pictures from an earlier season track meet to Wesley this weekend. Love these so much! 

And at the recent track and field banquet, Wesley's name was on the screen as one of the seniors committed to continue with sports in college (bottom left of the screen). 

And then he was able to go up to the microphone in front of his senior banner and announce where he is going to attend college. 

 

Committed To Compete

Wesley has qualified for Adidas Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina in June. He will be competing in Truist Stadium at North Carolina A& T University. 

 We will be hitting the road for Father's Day weekend to watch him compete! 

IMG Flight Night

Tonight was the last regular meet of the season and it was at home. It was IMG Academy's Flight Night for the jumps team. 

Wesley did great at high jump. He another new PR of 1.93m! This is two meets in a row that he has hit over 1.9m. So wonderful! 

 Then right after high jump he went over to long jump. He had six jumps total, ranging from 6.05 to 6.28m. That is slightly under his PR of 6.31m. 

We are so proud of him and all that he has worked to accomplish in this track season!

A New PR!!!!

There was another meet on Saturday at IMG Academy, this time run by Speed Capital. In a field of 6 high school boys, Wesley finished first AND he did it by hitting the new PR he has been chasing for the last few weeks - 1.92m or 6 feet 3.5 inches!!! He also had some strong attempts for the 1.97m height but couldn't quite clear it. 

So very proud of him and all his efforts. 

He also competed in the 200m dash and came in third in his heat. 

2 more regular meets left in this season. Excited to continue to watch Wesley jump! 

 

IMG Track Meet - Senior Night

Friday night was Senior Night at IMG Academy. The field was lined up with all of the banners for the track and field seniors - 51 in all! 

Wesley was feeling a little under the weather with a sore throat and some congestion. 

He hit 1.78m on the high jump. 

For the long jump, he hit 6.19m. He actually hit 6.28 twice after that but his toes were over the line. 

His final event was the 200m Dash. He was in lane 1 for heat 1 and finished first in his heat! 

We're so glad that Grandmommy could come and hang out with us and watch him compete. 

After everything was over, seniors and families lined up on the field for recognition. Wesley got in some fun pictures with friends while we were waiting. 

Family selfie time! 

This was the picture on the scoreboard as we walked the 50 yard line on the field. 

Track Meet Road Trip Adventures

Friday night, Wesley and Lydia and I traveled over to Daytona Beach for a track meet the next day at Embry Riddle University. We stayed on the beach and woke up to this gorgeous view. 

Not a great setup for spectators but we made do outside the fence. 

Here we are as Wesley's cheering section! 

He matched his height from the last few weeks in jumping - 1.87m. He is so close to setting a new PR at 1.92 meters - he almost had it one time but he hit the bar with his elbow. 

So glad that Lydia could join us at the meet, and travel down for prom! 

 

IMG Spring Break Invitational

Saturday we spent at IMG for their Spring Break Invitational. Parker was home so he came with us plus Vicki and Ellen from Grace UMC Venice.

Wesley did both high jump and long jump. 

He finished 2nd at high jump with a height of 1.87meters. 

And he set a new PR for long jump at 6.31meters. This helped him finish 5th overall. 

Here he is with his medal from high jump!