The Tribune

A breakout season for Bahamian high jumper Jyles Etienne continued this weekend.

Etienne captured the Division II championship in his signature event at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association track and field meet at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

He leapt 6’10” or 2.08m to become the sixth individual state champion for his Stony Brook Bears.

It was the highest jump at the meet since 2001, and he surpassed the mark of the division I winner.

Etienne chose to enter the competition at 6’4″ and cleared it on his first attempt. At 6’6″ he missed his first two attempts, before clearing on his third. He passed at 6’7″ and cleared 6’8″ once again on his third attempt. Etienne elected to skip 6’9 and moved to the final championship winning height of 6’10” which he cleared on his second attempt.

In a quick turnaround, he is scheduled to compete at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, next weekend before turning his attention this summer to international competition.

In April, Etienne achieved international acclaim with a gold medal performance at the 2016 CARIFTA Track and Field Championships in Grenada. He soared 2.07 metres or 6’ 9 1/2” to claim the gold after he had to go to a jump off with silver medallist Kobe-Jordan Rhooms from Jamaica, who eventually posted 2.06m (6-9).

Fellow Bahamian Benjamin Clarke finished tied with Jaden Bernabela of Curacao as they both turned in personal bests of 2.03m (6-8) for the bronze.

Etienne, the 6’5” former basketball player, represented the Bahamas for the first time at the national level and the 17-year-old said he was thrilled with the opportunity to do it in grand style.

Etienne outlined his plans for the immediate future in is NCSA athletic recruiting profile.

“I chose to attend The Stony Brook School, in Stony Brook, NY, to get the best possible academic, athletic and social foundation, that would make me most attractive to good colleges. I also want to leave an incredible athletic record to be remembered by at The Stony Brook School,” he said.

“My first jump ever, 6’2”, was in my sophomore year, on April 13, 2015. I broke my school’s 50-year-old record, three times over. Now one year later, (jumping only two spring seasons), my PR is 6’11” (2.11m). My goal for this junior track season is to jump 7’1” upwards and compete in the IAAF World U-20 Championships in July, 2016.”