From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

You won’t see Megan Kirschling’s name on the indoor all-time top-50 girls high jump list when we get to it. Because she didn’t jump indoors

Kirschling played basketball at West Deptford and only jumped in the spring. But that didn’t stop her from becoming one of the top high jumpers in state history.

Kirschling went 5-10 1/2 at the 2012 state Group 2 meet at South Plainfield, the No. 3 mark in state history behind and Jenna Rodgers of Rutherford, who cleared 6-0 3/4 at 2017 Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, and Tatiana Smolin of Randolph, who cleared 5-11 in 1983 at TAC Junior Nationals at State College, Pa.

Kirschling’s 5-10 1/2 snapping the South Jersey record of 5-9 1/4 set by Ocean City’s Mandi Wolicki at the 1995 state Group 3 meet at South Plainfield and matched in 2007 by Paul VI’s Priscilla Frederick, an NCAA All-America for St. John’s, Pan Am Games silver medalist and Olympian representing Antigua and Barbuda, at the Camden County Championships at Haddon Township.

Kirschling came from an athletic family. Her dad played basketball at the College of New Jersey and her mom played basketball for Kay Yow at North Carolina State and also played softball at N.C. State.

After high school, Kirschling competed for Elon College in North Carolina, where she set a school record of 5-10 1/2 and won the 2014 Southern Conference title in Spartanburg, S.C.

A shout-out to Tierra Hooker of Timber Creek, who cleared 5-10 five times indoors or outdoors and lost her senior year. Hooker finishes her scholastic career No. 3 in state history indoors and No. 4 outdoors.

Hooker, a superb all-around athlete (19-2 long jump, 14.51 hurdles, 59.59 indoor 400), would have been a threat to break Kirschling’s record every time she competed. And she does the South Jersey indoor record.

Hooker, the Meet of Champions winner last spring, will continue her track career at Mississippi State and we wish her all the best in Starkville!

Here’s a look at the all-time South Jersey girls high jump top-50. I’m probably missing a few 5-6’s so if you can help fill in the blanks please shoot me the details in the comment’s section!

Long jump tomorrow!

All-Time S.J. Outdoor Girls High Jump Top-50

5-10 ½ … Megan Kirschling [West Deptford], 2012
5-10 …….. Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], 2017, 2018
5-9 ½ ….. Priscilla Frederick [Paul VI], 2007
5-9 ¼ ….. Mandi Wolicki [Ocean City], 1995
5-9 ………. Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
5-9 ………. Erin Halpin [Cherry Hill East], 1986
5-9 ………. Kim Stoll [Holy Spirit], 1994
5-8 ¾ …… Kenady Wilson [Willingboro], 2019
5-8 ………. Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 1988
5-8 ………. Joi Johnson [Ocean City], 1993
5-8 ………. Misty Farrell [Washington Twp.], 1995
5-8 ………. Brooke Minor [Kingsway], 2001
5-8 ………. Marcene Jack [Mainland Reg.], 2004
5-8 ………. Briana Gray [Haddon Heights], 2005
5-8 ………. Anna Cook [Florence], 2007
5-8 ………. Brianna Hunt [Delsea], 2010
5-8 ………. Gabrielle Bennett [Winslow Twp.], 2015
5-8 ………. Natalie Cowan [Hammonton], 2015
5-8 ………. Bryanna Craig [Millville], 2019
5-7 ¾ …… Nia Hinds [Burlington Twp.], 2016
5-7 ½ …… Quenby Kotyla [Oakcrest], 1979
5-7 ½ …… Terry Cole [Pemberton], 1979
5-7 ½ …… MaryBeth Labosky [Holy Cross], 1988
5-7 ……… Lisa Sheperd [Oakcrest], 2005
5-6 ……… Janet Taylor [Holy Cross], 1980
5-6 ……… Joanne Jackson [Paul VI], 1983
5-6 ……… Sandy Tokoto [Moorestown], 1990, 1991
5-6 ……… Shatich Rivers [Moorestown], 1992
5-6 ………. Mary Guenther [Rancocas Valley], 2000
5-6 ………. Abby Campbell [Shawnee], 2001
5-6 ……… Lauren Graf [Oakcrest], 2001
5-6 ………. Deserea Byrd [Highland], 2003
5-6 ……… Latasha Leake [Northern Burlington], 2003
5-6 ……… Maurisa Williams [Winslow Twp.], 2004
5-6 ………. Brianna Gray [Haddon Heights], 2006
5-6 ………. Ashley Thompson [Woodrow Wilson], 2007
5-6 ………. Jazmin Waller [Winslow Twp.], 2007
5-6 ………. Lindsey Walsh [Lenape], 2008
5-6 ………. Kelsey Evancho [Lenape], 2010
5-6 ………. Kristen Bradley [Shawnee], 2010
5-6 ………. Megan Kustera [West Deptford], 2010
5-6 ………. Shekinah Lightfoot [Cumberland Reg.], 2012
5-6 ………. Alicia Terrell [Timber Creek], 2012
5-6 ………. Quinn Bethel [Lower Cape May Reg.], 2016
5-6 ………. Kai Starnes [Timber Creek], 2017
5-6 ………. Natalyn Velez [Vineland], 2018
5-5 ……… Jill Davis [Edgewood], 1981
5-5 ……… Lynne Arthur [Haddon Heights], 1982
5-5 ……… Bethany Biggi [Rancocas Valley], 2019
5-5 ……… Kambi Walker [Paul VI], 2019