Bryant O' Georgia sets high jump state record, captures title

• North Canyon%27s Bryant O%27Georgia set the state record in the high jump at 7 feet%2C 2 1/4 inches.
• Mountain Pointe%27s Paul Lucas won two events%2C but had to pull out of two more events due to injury.
• Tempe Corona del Sol won the team title%2C with Desert Vista second and Brophy Prep third.

Phoenix North Canyon senior Bryant O'Georgia, who barely stands 6 feet tall, had a foot higher than that in his mind all track and field season.

He waited until the end to not only clear that but a state record at 7 feet, 2 ¼ inches to capture the Division I high jump title Saturday night at Mesa Community College.

O'Bryant, headed to Northern Arizona on a football scholarship as a wide receiver, didn't hesitate after clearing 7 feet and the packed stadium erupted in cheers.

He cleared 7-2 ¼ on his first try — easily.

Officials measured to make sure it was higher than 7-2, which was the state mark, set in 1989 by Casa Grande's Gabriel Beecham.

After O'Bryant had the record by himself, he went after 7-4 and missed his three tries.

"It was a goal for such a long time," said O'Bryant, who defended his state title in the high jump. "I knew it was bound to happen."

Tempe Corona del Sol captured the team championship, behind distance runner Nathan Rodriguez, who added two more titles Saturday. He anchored Corona del Sol's winning 3,200-meter relay team, and, near the end of the night, won the 3,200 in 9 minutes, 25.50 seconds. Rodriguez also powered Corona del Sol to the state cross-country title in the fall as the individual champion in Division I.

Corona del Sol finished with 89.5 points. Phoenix Desert Vista was second with 63. Phoenix Brophy Prep was third with 48. It was Corona del Sol's first track state title since 1992.

"We definitely felt a target on our back," Rodriguez said. "It starts to build up after that 4x8. But you know it's one and done. You've got the team in mind and that helps you get through it (the 3,200)."

There was a hush from the large crowd early in the state championships after Phoenix Mountain Pointe junior Paul Lucas, eying a couple of state records, felt his right hamstring tighten up midway through the 100 dash. He still finished first at 10.66 seconds. After he crossed the finish line, Lucas limped a few meters, then went down to the ground in agony, knowing his day was over.

Lucas said he felt a twinge earlier, competing in the long jump. He won that with a leap of 24 feet, 4 ½ inches. He worked out the ache before his 100, but the hamstring tightened up worse.

Lucas had to pull out of the 200 and the 400. He was favored to win both of those races.

"I'm not disappointed," Lucas said. "I know that was all I had tonight. But I still have next year, and I've got the Great Southwest (in June)."

With Lucas out, the 200 final became anti-climactic with the anticipated showdown against Brophy senior Bobby Grant, who earlier came close to his state record in the 300 hurdles, winning in 36.33.

Grant won the 200 in 21.44.

Grant made a big recovery since falling in the 300 hurdles at the Chandler Rotary Invitational. His state-record 36.24, set last week at a regional meet at Phoenix Horizon, is the fastest high school time in the nation.

Grant was followed to the finish Saturday by Brophy teammate Isaiah Oliver, a junior, who was clocked at 37.54. Last year, it was Brophy's Devon Allen and Grant finishing 1-2 in the 300 hurdles final at state.

"Kids always ask me, 'Are you afraid to fall?'" Grant said. "My answer is, 'No.' I set my goal for success."