Paton-Churdan freshman Trevon Keely cleared 6′ 5″ on Friday at Drake Stadium in Des Moines and placed second in the Class 1A boys’ high jump. Not only was it his first State Track & Field Meet, it was the first time he’d been inside the venerable stadium. With as many eyes on him as there are in all of Greene County, Keely literally reached new heights. Before Friday, 6′ 4″ was his personal best, which he had done twice before. His final attempt at clearing 6′ 6″ was a near-miss, or who knows, he might still be jumping?

Keely and two other jumpers from the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area battled it out. ACGC senior Lance Bunde won the title at 6′ 6″, and Coon Rapids-Bayard senior Kolby Culberson was third. The Crusader also cleared 6′ 5″, but Keely placed second based on fewer misses. All three finished the day with personal bests.

The eight points scored by Keely for finishing second were more than a boys’ event from Paton-Churdan has scored in decades. On the girls’ side, Danielle Hoyle won the 1A discus throw in 2021.