Charleston – Beckley’s Ryan Muktar knew he had a significant lead on his high jump competitors based on best heights throughout the season.
But years past have shown him there’s no guarantee.
While he didn’t quite reach the 7-foot-1 personal record he achieved earlier in the year, Muktar still proved he was head and shoulders, and legs, above the field.
Muktar won the Class AAA state high jump title with a jump of 6-foot-8 and proceeded to clear that with a final jump of 6-foot-10 to etch his name in state history.
‘It really felt great,” Muktar smiled. “I was super nervous coming into today because no matter what I jump, I always remember I’ve got to do it again. And the past few years I’ve reached the mark that won the year before, and then somebody else just shows up and gets it. So even with 7-foot-1 I was expecting somebody to show up today and they did. Last year 6-foot-6 won and we had four people clear that this year.”
The win came despite Muktar competing in two events at the same time. The high jump started at the same time his hurdle heat did, forcing him to scramble after the hurdles. It took him out of his game but it was never apparent.
“There was definitely fatigue,” Muktar laughed. “I was trying to, I didn’t really get any warm-up jumps, which I usually like to do. I had to do long jump and then I went over to do hurdles and then ran over here to finish long jump, wanting to hit a new high jump. They had already started so I really I got one warm up jump.”
It was the perfect way to cap what’s been a stellar year for the Marshall signee. He came into the year believing he’d end up at a smaller school, received attention from the Thundering Herd and now finishes his high school career with at least one state championship.
“I had been talking to a few other schools throughout the offseason,” Muktar said. “And then I had an indoor meet at Marshall. I hit 6-foot-8 and then they started talking to me after that. And it was it was a great way to end the season. I wish I would have hit seven feet again. But I mean, I just gotta get consistent now. That was my second time ever clearing 6-foot-6. But It feels really great man. I’m super excited about it and I was really happy. I’m really hoping I do good in my other events and even if I don’t, I’m happy I got this.”
