May 11, 2012
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association named champions Friday in track and field. Next Saturday, when the 4-A schools meet, Enloe's Jonathan Addison will among the favorites in the jumping events. He won the high jump and long jump titles in the indoor season.
Those achievements mean a lot to Addison. "I've proven myself. I've reached the top, at least in North Carolina," he said.
The 5-foot-10-inch senior can jump a bar a foot higher than he stands.
And he has that advantage even though he competes against others who are a year older. Addison skipped the first grade. He will be just 17 when he starts college in the fall.
Rather than use that as an excuse, Addison sees it as motivation.
"Since I came to high school I've been small or shorter than everyone, so I've always been at a little disadvantage so I've always had to work that much harder or at least prove myself to be as good or better than them," he said.
"When he steps up to the tarp, guys look at him," said Enloe track coach Julian Lee.
"They know his name ... but you have to actually watch to see him jump and clear the bar. It's amazing."
Addison will take his skills to North Carolina State University next year where he will compete in the high and long jumps while working on an engineering degree. His goal is to clear a 7-foot bar.
The 3-A and 4-A track and field championships are next weekend.
Event: NCHSAA Track and Field Championships, 1-A and 2-A classifications
Date: May 11-12, 2012, with 2-A men and women on May 11 and 2-A men and women on May 12
Site: Irwin Belk Track, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro
First Held: 1913 for men, 1972 for women
Qualifiers: The top four finishers in each event, including relays, qualified from the regional level to the state championship meet
Defending champions: women: 2-A, Carrboro; 1-A, Hendersonville; men: 2-A, Berry Academy; 1-A, North Rowan.
Of Interest: In 1976, Kathy McMillan of Hoke County set a state record by soaring 21 feet, seven inches in the long jump.
Host City Sponsors: Greensboro Sports Commission, Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau
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