New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Derby’s Hale has taken the leap
Ja’Kwan Hale always had the ability to jump.
When he first tried out for the Derby High track and field team as a freshman, he noticed the high jump.
“I was always able to jump high, that’s always been my strength as an athlete,” Hale said. “When I was a freshman and saw the high jump the first day of practice, I figured I’d give it a shot. On my very first jump I cleared 6 feet. At that point I knew the high jump would be one of my main events.”
Since then, Hale has developed into one of the top high jumpers in Connecticut, along with having postseason success in the 300 hurdles.
In last season’s indoor season, he kicked off the postseason at the Naugatuck Valley League meet by winning the high jump (6 feet). At the CIAC Class S meet he won the high jump (6-7) and won it at the State Open in a school indoor record of 6 feet, 8 inches. He went on to take fourth in the high jump (6-5) at the New England meet.
Hale’s success continued in the outdoor season. He won the high jump (6-2) and won the 300 hurdles (38.88, meet record) at the NVL meet. At Class S he won the high jump (6-4) and won the 300 hurdles (39.09). At the State Open he was fourth in the high jump (6-4) and third in the 300 hurdles (38.91) and at the New England meet he was ninth in the high jump (6-5).
In the current indoor season, Hale is ranked No. 5 in the nation in the high jump. He will compete this weekend at the prestigious 25th annual New Balance Games at the Armory New Balance Track and Field Center in New York City, according to a press release from the event’s organizers.
“Ja’Kwan had a great year last year,” Derby coach Nick DiLuggo said. “He’s versatile and even ran a leg of our state champion sprint medley relay team. He just wants to be good. Running the 300 hurdles helps contribute to his high jump success. He’s fast and explosive. But there is a mental aspect to his success in the high jump.
“His run-up is huge. He made some adjustments to his approach in the high jump and he has worked on his flexibility going over the bar.”
Hale’s success as a junior was rewarded with New Haven Register All-Area selections in the boys indoor and outdoor seasons.
“I was surprised by my success in the indoor season last season, I was surprised I got the high jump school record,” Hale said. “I was struggling and stuck at 6-4 at the beginning of the season and it was frustrating. I decided to change my technique a little, especially when it came to my run-up. I was taking seven steps to the bar and I increased it to nine steps. That change increased my momentum to get over the bar and I started improving.
“I’ve done 6-11 in practice, so this season my goal is to get 7 feet.”
After Hale’s freshman season his family moved to Georgia for a year and he didn’t compete in track and field his sophomore year. The family returned to Connecticut and DiLuggo noticed a renewed focus by Hale when he returned to the Derby track and field team as a junior.
“When Ja’Kwan came back to the team as a junior, it was fun and exciting for him,” DiLuggo said. “He’s really a well-rounded athlete, deeply talented and can compete in just about any event. But he is committed more than ever now. He had a great year last season, a breakout year last season, and it’s a credit to
his talent level after not competing as a sophomore.
“When it comes to the state competition, he’s got a lot more challengers this season who are very talented. But there is no doubt in my mind he will continue to improve and do well on the track and in the high jump.”
The top competition DiLuggo was referring to that Hale has to face in the high jump this season includes Justin Forde of McMahon. Forde is only one of a handful of high jumpers in Connecticut high school history to clear 7 feet in the high jump when he did it during the last outdoor track and field season at the Middletown Invitational. Forde has committed to compete in track and field at the University of Miami.
Hale’s ultimate goal is to do well at the New England meet and qualify for the national meet in the high jump.
“I love running and I love the high jump,” Hale said. “I want to do well on the track and in the high jump and that’s why I still need to work hard and improve.”
Hale plans to compete in college but hasn’t made a commitment. DiLuggo said the Division I college interest in Hale is “huge.”
HAND BOYS EXCEL AT MCREAVY MEET
The Hand boys indoor track had a solid performance at the McReavy Invitational on Jan. 11 with seven top-three finishes.
Russell Powell won the high jump (6-0) and was third in the 55 hurdles, Greyson McGeary was second in the 55 hurdles (8.30), Connor Parthasarthy was second in the 1600 (4:52.29), Ameen Parks was second in the 55 dash (6.85) and the Tigers won the 4x400 relay (3:39.15) and 4x200 relay (1:36.72).