how to get recruited for High Jump

The Stars of The Event

The high jump is a captivating event, a pure test of athleticism and technique. The all-time greatest male high jumper is Javier Sotomayor, whose 2.45m (8' 1/4") world record has stood for over three decades. Other legendary male jumpers include Mutaz Essa Barshim, who is second on the all-time list, and Olympic champion Charles Austin. On the women's side, Yaroslava Mahuchikh recently broke a long-standing record with her 2.10m (6' 10 1/2") jump. She stands on the shoulders of giants like the former world record holder, Stefka Kostadinova, and Olympic champions Blanka Vlašić and Yelena Slesarenko. In college track and field, programs like the University of Arkansas, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas consistently produce top-tier high jumpers, attracting some of the most talented athletes in the world.

Division 1

For high school athletes with dreams of competing at a Division 1 school, the high jump bar is set high. Men aiming for a D1 program should be consistently clearing heights in the range of 6' 8" to 7' 0" (2.03m to 2.13m) or higher. The top programs and full scholarship opportunities often require a performance at the upper end of this range or better. For women, competitive heights for D1 schools typically fall between 5' 5" and 5' 10" (1.65m to 1.78m). It's important to remember that these are general guidelines; a recruiting standard for a Power Five conference school may be more stringent than for a smaller D1 program.

Division 2

Division 2 schools offer a fantastic balance of strong athletic competition and academic focus. The high jump recruiting standards for these programs are still very competitive. Male high jumpers should aim for a height between 6' 2" and 6' 4" (1.88m to 1.93m). While a jump of 6'4" is likely to attract scholarship offers, a consistent 6'2" performance can get you on the team roster. For female athletes, a height between 5' 2" and 5' 4" (1.57m to 1.63m) is generally considered the recruiting standard for Division 2 programs. As with any collegiate athletic pursuit, consistent performance at these levels is key to catching a coach's eye.