Hassard Hits New Heights In High Jump At State

CHARLESTON --- Oliver Hassard soared to new heights here Saturday at the Class 3A Illinois High School Association state track and field finals.

The Evanston senior cleared a personal best height of 1.94 meters --- about 6 feet, 4 and three-quarters inches --- and earned a 10th place finish in the high jump.

Hassard moved up in the individual standings after tying for 14th place in the same event as a junior. He was the only Wildkit among the squad’s five qualifers to advance out of Friday’s preliminary competition after he registered another personal best of 1.93 in his earlier jumps.

In the prelims, Hassard (40.39) and sophomore Jordan Harvey (40.63) were eliminated in the 300-meter hurdles. Jack Kleinschmit fell short in the 800 with his time of 1 minute, 56.77 seconds, Dallas Amos was timed in 51.17 in the open 400, and junior Enijel Shelton settled for a best throw of 15.09 meters --- or 49 feet 6.25 inches --- in the shot put.