From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Paulsboro’s remarkable Jamile Gantt won the state Group 1 high jump title Friday with the best mark in New Jersey this year.

Gantt cleared 6-8 ¼ to win the state Group 1 title at Pennsauken and go into the Meet of Champions as the No. 1 seed. That’s No. 5 in Gloucester County history.

Gantt, a junior, had a PR of 6-2 until just six weeks ago. He cleared 6-6 at the Woodbury Relays and then 6-8 at the Delsea Crusader Field #1 meet last month.

His 6-8 ¼ clearance is best by a South Jersey Group 1 jumper in 21 years, since Schalick’s Darryl Gause hit 6-10 at the 2001 Meet of Champions in South Plainfield. It’s the best by any South Jersey jumper since current Dallas Cowboy Markquese Bell cleared 7-0 in 2016.

It’s the best jump by a Paulsboro athlete since Spencer Irvin cleared 6-10 at the 1993 Haddonfield Invitational.

Fortunately, Tomahawk Timing – which provides results for the Group 1 and 3 meets – does include field event details in its results, unlike the company that did Group 2 and 4.

So we can tell you that Gantt cleared 5-8, 5-10, 6-0, 6-2 and 6-4 on his first attempt. He had the meet won at 6-4, then cleared 6-6 on his second try and 6-8 ¼ on his third. It appears that he didn’t take any jumps beyond 6-8 ¼.

Unfortunately, the timing of the high jump prevented Gantt from racing the 800, where he was the 800 No. 4 seed at 1:59.85.

How many athletes in New Jersey history have cleared 6-8 in the high jump and broken 2:00 in the 800?

I can only think of one.

And he’s back next year.

Here’s a look at the all-time Gloucester County high jump top-10:

6-10 …….. Spencer Irvin [Paulsboro], 1993
6-10 ……… Josh Butler [Delsea], 2006
6-10 …….. Devin Bradham [Williamstown], 2005
6-10 …….. Ameer Banks [Delsea], 2015
6-8 ½ …… Rocky Harrison [Woodbury], 1975
6-8 ½ …… Jamile Gantt [Paulsboro], 2022
6-8 …….… Greg Collins [Deptford], 1980
6-8 ….…..… Craig Howard [Washington Twp.], 1998
6-8 ………. Tim Cook [Glassboro], 2005
6-6 ………. [Numerous]