2023 Moments Of The Year
To finish off 2023, we're going to count down the MileSplit TN Top 10 Moments of the Year. "Moments" will be a loose term this year as some will be collective performances from the entirety of a season or the entirety of a career. Nevertheless, you'll see thoughout that 2023 was filled with incredible drama, can't miss races, and record breaking performances. Check Back in between now and January for everything that made last year unforgetttable. Enjoy.
LaGrant Jumps All-Time TN #5
As you'll see through this countdown, there will be some consolidation of events and athletes to make sure I cover everything important that occurred last year and intially, I had the Boys High Jump combined as one singular "Moment" but ultimately opted to separate out Lewis Lagrant from Grant Campbell. I feel like both jumps, when they occurred, ushered the same reaction from the Tennessee audience.
On March 19th, most teams were entering their first competition of the season but Rockvale was competing in their third at the Siegel Opens. The senior, who two weeks prior opened his season at 6-5, modestly entered the competition at 5-10 and then methodically raised the bar with clearances at 6-0, 6-2, 6-5, 6-7, 6-9, and finally 6-11. While we expect gains year over year in the 2-4 inch window for high jumpers, a five-inch PR for a jumper when they're already at six and a half feet is a seismic escalation for a cold, windy day in Mid-March.
At the time, LaGrant's jump was the TN #4 clearance All-Time and though he never improved on this mark (and actually moved down to #5 before the season ended), it was the first performance of the 2023 outdoor track and field season that made you say "WHOA." Lagrant finished the season 3rd in Division I Class AAA and is now at the University of Memphis.
