Lindenwold junior Egypt Bolan, the indoor Meet of Champions winner, placed 3rd in the high jump Friday at the Penn Relays with a PR and a spot in the all-time South Jersey top-10.
Bolan cleared 5-8 ¾ on her 1st attenpt and was the top American jumper, finishing behind Shanniqua Williams of St. Andrew in Jamaica [5-11 ½] and Danielle Noble of Wolmer’s Girls [5-9 ¾].
That 5-8 ¾ equals No. 8 in South Jersey history and No. 1 in New Jersey this year.
Bolan, who had a previous PR of 5-8, had a miss at 5-7 but cleared 5-8 on her 1st attempt before her breakthrough 5-8 ¾. She took three jumps at 5-9 ¾ before calling it a day.
She’s the first South Jersey girl to clear 5-8 ¾ or better since Willingboro’s Kenady Wilson cleard 5-8 ¾ at 2019 Greensoro Nationals. Her 5-8 ¾ clearance matches the best by a South Jersey jumper in seven years, since Timber Creek’s Tierra Hooker – the Camden County record holder – cleared 5-10 at 2018 Group 3 states in Bayville.
It’s No. 3 all-time by a South Jersey underclassman, behind Megan Kirschling of West Deptford, who cleared 5-10 ½ at 2012 Group 3 states in South Plainfield, and Hooker, who cleared 5-10 as a junior at 2017 Group 3 states in Bayville.
All-Time South Jersey High Jump List
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 ¾ …… Egypt Bolan [Lindenwold], 2025
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
5-8 ………. Alanna Woolfolk [Clayton], 2023
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 