Egypt Bolan's magical season in the high jump continued on Saturday when she produced one of the greatest high jump performances in NJ history when she broke the meet record at the New Balance National Championships at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
Bolan, a junior at Lindenwold, soared over the bar at 5-10.75 , which is No. 3 in NJ history, on her second attempt to clinch the title. Bolan's previous best was 5-9, which she made to finish first at the Meet of Champions on June 4 at Pennsauken High.
The 5-10.75 by Bolan broke the meet record of 5-10 that was shared by several athletes.
The only two NJ high school girls who have gone higher Bolan and Jenna Rogers of Rutherford, who cleared 6-0¾ to finish first as a freshman in 2017, and Randolph's Tatiana Smolin, who made 5-11 in 1983.
Bolan, who didn't miss until her first attempt at 5-10.75, has cleared 5-8 or better in six meets this season, and she finished the season undefeated vs. U.S athletes. Her only loss came when she was third at the Penn Relays, finishing behind two Jamaicans.
Photo by John Davern
It's amazing to think that Bolan, who stands at just 5-6, is clearing a bar that's nearly 5 inches over her head, but her first indoor season this pastvl winter combined with her explosiveness and textbook form enabled her to improve by nearly 6 inches since this time last year.
After making 5-5 as a sophomore last spring, Bolan gave up basketball this past winter to focus on improving her high jump technique, which immediately paid off as she made 5-8 to win the HJ at the indoor Meet of Champions in March.
Now she's a national champion, who has a great shot at making 6-0 and challenging the state record next year!!!
Bolan's victory gives the Garden State nine titles and four meet records already at the 4-day meet that concludes on Sunday. And there should be more to come!!