Move Over Vashti, Jenna Rogers Breaks Freshman Class Record In High Jump At NBNO


Jenna Rogers learned on Sunday that expectations can be shattered in a matter of few big moments. 

The Rutherford (NJ) High freshman, who had hoped to land a 5 foot, 8 inch high jump, produced a surprising freshman class record at New Balance Nationals Outdoor, going 6-feet, 0.75 inches to break Olympian and World indoor champion Vashti Cunningham's record of 6-0.25 set back in 2013. 

"I'm so surprised," Rogers said. "I came into this not thinking I would win this at all. I can't believe it." 

Rogers had finished third recently at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Track and Field Championships with a height of 5-8. She had marked consistently between 5-6 and 5-8 all season, including a NJSIAA Group Championship on June 3 at 5-6. 

Then came NBNO. Rogers stepped to her position and began to land a series of jumps, making it look, at times, easy. She hit at 5-9 in two attempts and then again at 5-10 before going for broke at 6-0.75. 

"My mind was somewhere else," she said. " ... Nothing was going through my head except with, 'Let's clear this bar.'"


NBNO Girls High Jump Championship

PlaceAthleteAffiliationBest JumpFlight (Pl)
1Jenna ROGERS20Rogers-Jenna-NJ-Rutherford1.85m (6-¾ )1 (1)
2Jelena ROWE17Bloom Tc-Il1.80m (5-10¾ )1 (2)
3Morgan SMALLS20Panther Creek Tc-Nc1.80m (5-10¾ )2 (1)
4Shelby TYLER19Tyler-Shelby-IN-Noblesville1.75m (5-8¾ )2 (2)
5Courteney CAMPBELL17Campbell-Courteney-NJ-South Br1.75m (5-8¾ )1 (3)
6Jessica HANEY19Lees Summit West Tc-Mo1.75m (5-8¾ )1 (4)
6Emma DAUGHERTY18Daugherty-Emma-OH-Maumee Valle1.75m (5-8¾ )1 (4)
8Laurel MILLER17Miller-Laurel-WV-Ripley1.75m (5-8¾ )2 (3)
8Kenya LIVINGSTON18Ravens Elite-NC1.75m (5-8¾ )2 (3)