Alanna Woolfolk's strong work ethic, passion for track and field, immense talent, and great bloodlines have combined to make her one of the best high jumpers in the state.
Woolfolk burst on the high school scene in New Jersey as a freshman when she won the high jump at the 2021 Outdoor Meet of Champions. She collected a second M of C high jump title as a sophomore last winter when she finished first at the Indoor Meet of Champions.
Now a junior at Clayton, Woolfolk, who owns a high jump PR of 5-7, is looking to take her game to new heights.
Woolfolk opened her season by clearing 5-6 at the South Jersey Track Coaches Association Winter Meet on Dec. 19 at the Bennett Center in Toms River, and won the Tri-County Conference HJ title this past Thursday at the Bennett Center.
Woolfolk has continued the legacy of great athletes that have come from her family by making a name for herself.
Alanna's father, Bobby, was a three-sport star at Glassboro High (football, basketball and baseball), and he played football at Rowan. Her mother, Jenny, was a soccer star at Riverside High, and Bobby's first cousin is legendary football/track standout Butch Woolfolk, who starred at Westfield High and at the University of Michigan (MVP of the 1981 Rose Bowl), and was a running back in the NFL for several years. Butch Woolfolk won the 100 and 200-meter dashes at the 1978 NJ Outdoor Meet of Champions.
NJ MileSplit recently caught up with Woolfolk in between meets to get her thoughts on her impressive season opener, her quest to clear 5-8 and higher, how she got started in the sport, and a whole lot more. So lean back in your fancy recliner next to the fireplace or grab your favorite spot on the couch and enjoy our latest installment of Feature Friday as we shine the spotlight on Clayton high jump star Alanna Woolfolk, who is one of the biggest stars in the state that not nearly enough people talk about.
This just shows that I'm way stronger and prepared to jump higher heights early in the season.
After you made 5-6, what were your attempts at 5-8 like? Did you come close to making it?
I felt closest on my first attempt, but I realized there were still some things I needed to work on.
I know every athlete strives to hit PR's, so making 5-8 has to be a huge goal for you? Tell me how big of a goal it is for you to 5-8 and higher, and what are your thoughts on any adjustments or what you need to do technique-wise to make 5-8 this season?
Clearing 5'8 has been my goal since last year. During the off season, I spent a lot of time in the weight room and focused on getting my body stronger. Clearing 5'8 would show that all my work has paid off.
What can you say about all the talented high jumpers in New Jersey? I imagine it motivates and pushes you even more when you see all the great competition in the state.
It's really nice having great competition because that's the only way to get better. I definitely got into the rhythm of winning too much at a point in time. Having people jumping higher than me motivates me to do 10x more than what I'm already doing.
When is your next meet and what is your goal for that meet?
Next meet I want to clear 5'6 on my first attempt and move up to 5'8 and PR, or have solid attempts.
You've already had so much success in the high jump during your career, winning an outdoor Meet of Champions title as a freshman in 2021, and the indoor M of C title last year. How surprised are you with all that success so early in your career or did you feel like there was a chance that could happen so quickly?
I walked in with no expectations, so to dominate so early I really set myself up to a certain standard. With that much success comes a lot of pressure, and I was never surprised to win early on because I've been jumping forever.
What do you consider your greatest strengths as a jumper? What enables you to be so great at what you do?
My ability to be consistent. I have a really strong support system so even when I don't feel like I've done as good as I can, I know the support will be there.
What do you love the most about the sport of track and field, and what specifically do you enjoy the most about being a high jumper?
I love how versatile the sport is. Track and field can be for anyone, and with my height (5-11), high jump is perfect for me. I really enjoy high jump because it's not for everyone and I've accomplished really cool things.
Like every little kid, you played soccer when you were younger. Your mom told me a story about how you stopped playing one day because you didn't like how much you had to run. And then when you were eight years old you asked if you could run track. So what made you decide to start competing in track and field?
Honestly, one of my friends ran track, so I wanted to. I had no intention of the sport working out so well for me. I hated running as a kid believe it or not.
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When did you join the Camden Track Club, and how and why did you become a high jumper?
I joined the Camden Track Club when I was around 8 years old. High jump was introduced to me at a regular practice, and my coach just wanted me to try it. My very first indoor championship I won, so I realized this is something I actually like to do.
I know you come from a very athletic family, your parents were both very good high school athletes, and I know all about your dad's cousin, Butch. What can you say about all the great support you've received from your family that has helped you in your track and field career? I know how proud they are of you!
My parents understand me for the most part as an athlete. Days where I don't do good and don't want to talk, they understand. But the days I do great and we talk about everything is nice too. I think because they used to be athletes they understand.
When was your first big breakthrough moment in the high jump when you realized that you could do some great things in the high jump?
Definitely winning MOC'S freshman year. I had people coming up to me congratulating me thinking I was a senior.
How much time do you spend watching videos of pro or college high jumpers, and who do you watch and what have you learned from watching them?
I've watched every high jump video on the internet a million times. It's really motivating watching women jump high heights.
What is the most impressive NJ XC/T&F accomplishment you've ever witnessed, and what made it stand out so much to you?
Watching Celine (Jada Brown of Plainfield) jump 20 feet in the long jump her senior year at MOC'S.
If you weren't a track and field athlete, what sport would you be playing?
Probably basketball
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
As either a professional athlete or a model.
What advice would you give to younger high jumpers who are just starting out in the sport?
To never give up, this is not an easy event. And to realize you won't do good every time. Failure is bound to happen at some point.