03-09-2012, 09:51 AM
When Lloyd track and field coach Greg Enxel says the sky is the limit for senior high jumper Tyler Bray, heâs not kidding.
âWeâre pushing for a state record of 7 feet,â Enxel said. âTyler jumped 6-8 last year at state, and he knows he can go higher.â
The record of 6 feet 10¾ inches set in 1988 by Highlandsâ Tom Noe is one of the more hallowed records in Kentucky. Bray has put himself within range of it in less than two years.
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âI wasnât on a track team until last year so I didnât really know a lot and coach helped me get a state ring on raw talent,â said Bray, who also competes in the long jump, hurdles and sprints. âThis year, I know more and I expect to do a lot better.â
Enxel is aiding the defending state Class 2A high jump champion by helping him hurdle psychological barriers.
âYouâre trying to clear a bar, and if you do it right, itâs behind you when you go over it and you canât see it. And Tyler hasnât been doing this very long,â Enxel said. âIf he can visualize what heâs doing when heâs in the air, that will add to his jump.â
The local track season begins next week. Once Bray gets a few meets under his belt, he will have the benefit of visualizing his jumps via video. The goal is to capture images of his shoulders, in relationship to the bar, as his leap peaks.
While a second consecutive state high jump championship would provide perfect closure to his career, Bray is determined to make a run at the 7-foot barrier because it might be necessary to hold the record, if he sets it. Joining him in the bid will be Warren Central senior Donovan Halsel, who won last yearâs Class 3A title with a leap of 6-8 after qualifying with a jump of 6-10, a height Bray has not cleared at a meet.
Points by Bray, pole vaulter Dylan Withers, distance runner Alex Henn and sprinter Ryan Reynolds should help the Juggernauts improve upon their seventh-place team finish at last yearâs Class 2A regional. Defending champion Covington Catholic is the team to beat.
Defending Class 3A regional champion Dixie Heights will have to hold off Ryle, Campbell County, Boone County, Simon Kenton and Cooper to repeat. The regionâs Class A contingent of defending champ Bishop Brossart, indoor champion St. Henry, Walton-Verona and Beechwood is as strong as any in the state.
âWeâre in a tough region,â Brossart first-year coach Chris Davis said.
Other individual state title contenders to watch include Brossart distance runner Michael Caldwell, Beechwood jumper Cameron Vocke, Walton-Verona hurdler Zach MacAdams, St. Henry jumper Craig Aldridge, distance runner Brendan Dooley and pole vaulter Zach Haake.
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âWeâre pushing for a state record of 7 feet,â Enxel said. âTyler jumped 6-8 last year at state, and he knows he can go higher.â
The record of 6 feet 10¾ inches set in 1988 by Highlandsâ Tom Noe is one of the more hallowed records in Kentucky. Bray has put himself within range of it in less than two years.
⢠Enquirer's Recruiting Trail blog
⢠Enquirer high school sports blog
⢠Check us out on Facebook
⢠More prep coverage
âI wasnât on a track team until last year so I didnât really know a lot and coach helped me get a state ring on raw talent,â said Bray, who also competes in the long jump, hurdles and sprints. âThis year, I know more and I expect to do a lot better.â
Enxel is aiding the defending state Class 2A high jump champion by helping him hurdle psychological barriers.
âYouâre trying to clear a bar, and if you do it right, itâs behind you when you go over it and you canât see it. And Tyler hasnât been doing this very long,â Enxel said. âIf he can visualize what heâs doing when heâs in the air, that will add to his jump.â
The local track season begins next week. Once Bray gets a few meets under his belt, he will have the benefit of visualizing his jumps via video. The goal is to capture images of his shoulders, in relationship to the bar, as his leap peaks.
While a second consecutive state high jump championship would provide perfect closure to his career, Bray is determined to make a run at the 7-foot barrier because it might be necessary to hold the record, if he sets it. Joining him in the bid will be Warren Central senior Donovan Halsel, who won last yearâs Class 3A title with a leap of 6-8 after qualifying with a jump of 6-10, a height Bray has not cleared at a meet.
Points by Bray, pole vaulter Dylan Withers, distance runner Alex Henn and sprinter Ryan Reynolds should help the Juggernauts improve upon their seventh-place team finish at last yearâs Class 2A regional. Defending champion Covington Catholic is the team to beat.
Defending Class 3A regional champion Dixie Heights will have to hold off Ryle, Campbell County, Boone County, Simon Kenton and Cooper to repeat. The regionâs Class A contingent of defending champ Bishop Brossart, indoor champion St. Henry, Walton-Verona and Beechwood is as strong as any in the state.
âWeâre in a tough region,â Brossart first-year coach Chris Davis said.
Other individual state title contenders to watch include Brossart distance runner Michael Caldwell, Beechwood jumper Cameron Vocke, Walton-Verona hurdler Zach MacAdams, St. Henry jumper Craig Aldridge, distance runner Brendan Dooley and pole vaulter Zach Haake.
http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...303080176/