Jesuit’s Medich wins Florida Relays high jump

Posted Apr 7, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Apr 8, 2012 at 11:33 AM

Jesuit senior Nick Medich continues to enjoy a standout senior season for the Tigers, placing first in the high jump at Saturday’s Florida Relays in Gainesville.

Medich took the title at UF’s Percy Beard Track in a jump-off against J’Varzeia Rivers of Mount Dora Bible. Both cleared 6-4 and were tied on misses. Both were unable to clear 6-6 so officials lowered the bar to 6-5. That’s where Medich won the event as Rivers failed to make the height.

Medich said he was hoping to go 6-8 or higher but said the early wake-up call for the meet—6:15 a.m.—and drive to Gainesville seemed to take some spring out of him when the event started at 10 a.m. Saturday.

“I’m not really at my best for the high jump in the morning,” Medich said. “I was prepared to go 6-8 but when we got started, I just didn’t feel it. But I know I can go 6-10 or better before the season’s over.”

Already this spring, Medich has won the high jump at the Disney Showcase and UNF Spring Break Invitational. At last month’s FSU Relays, he broke Jesuit’s 20-year-old school record in the event by clearing 6-8. The previous record of 6-7 was set in 1992 by Rob Gleason.

Medich’s mark of 6-8 is No. 3 in the state for all classes and No. 2 for Class 2A behind state leader Brandon Hollifield (6-10) of Tallahassee Godby.

“I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress this year and I can get 6-4 any time,” Medich said. “I’m going to get to state. I just have to focused and ready when I get there.”

Also in the field events, Alonso’s Quatasia Fantroy soarded to a personal record in the triple jump of 37-3 to earn fourth place and was less than six inches away from the runners-up spot.

In the discus, Jesuit senior Ike Edwards had something of an off-day in the discus, finishing fourth in 160-8. His PR in the event is 176-4.

Photo: Nick Medich in competition Saturday at the Florida Relays on the University of Florida’s Percy Beard Track. Photo courtesy of Lynn Medich.