HUNTINGTON'S LANDON GIBBS COMPETES AT THE 2023 YELLOW JACKET RELAYS
When Huntington's Landon Gibbs sailed over the crossbar at Lee Hedges Stadium Thursday afternoon, a loud cheer erupted from friends and family around the high jump apron.
It got the attention from the Raider Relays crowd and public address announcer, Mychal Word, who announced Gibbs had just cleared 6-7 and was attempting 6-8.
The attention for Gibbs was well deserved, it's a new personal record. The mark puts Gibbs at No. 6 in the state and No.1 among all sophomores in Louisiana.
"Just the adrenaline, honestly," Gibbs said when asked what was going through his mind during the jump. "I had a couple of friends here to see me, you know. I wanted to put on a show."
Indeed, Gibbs did put on a show.
While Gibbs isn't quite in a class all by himself, it doesn't take long to call the roll. He is ranked No. 5 in the nation in the Class of 2026.
It's not the first time Huntington has had a nationally ranked sophomore high jumper.
In fact, in 2021 the Raiders had the No. 1 sophomore in the nation in Oshamar Hall, who jumped 6-8 during his 10th grade year on Rasberry Lane.
There were one or two old heads at Lee Hedges Stadium on Thursday, who reminded the youngster that he has a few inches to go before breaking the family record.
40 years ago, Gibbs' father was an all-state high jumper for Huntington competing against the likes of Fair Park's Hollis Conway, who would go on to win two Olympic medals.
Don Gibbs set the school record of 6-10 in 1984 before going on to Grambling State University. The proud father was there on Thursday, phone in hand, videoing every jump and taking pictures after the competition.
What does it mean to be able to follow in his father's footsteps?
"It's God. It's all God," Gibbs said. "I'm just thankful to be on the track team and jumping. It's a big thing for me."
When it comes to goals, Gibbs will need to go back to the drawing board after surpassing what he wanted to achieve during the 2024 outdoor season.
"Honestly, my goal was 6-6 this year," Gibbs said. "I jumped 6-0 at LSU state indoor. I came into the outdoor season thinking I'm trying to jump 6-4 or 6-6. God had different plans for me today."
As he looks to keep raising the bar--literally, Gibbs said the trick is making sure his mind is right.
"It's all mental, honestly," Gibbs said. "You can do so much physically. It's all about your mental."
Gibbs' success in track and field may mean missed football practices this Spring when Huntington head coach Stephen Dennis begins spring practice for his Raiders. Gibbs plays quarterback and wide receiver on the football team.
"He will be alright," Gibbs said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to putting on the H for my junior season."
Until then, Gibbs is focused on finishing out what has already been an outstanding sophomore campaign.
In the girls' division, Huntington was led by Demetria Harris, who is ranked No. 6 in the nation with a triple jump of 41-0 last month. Harris won the triple jump (36-0) 100m hurdles (14.63) and finished second to Doyline's Izayla Harris in the 100m (12.02).
The Lady Raiders dominated the sprint relays. It started with Nyla Ware, T'la Dewitt, Janayah Dotson, and Aniyah Jackson in the 4x200 relay (1:42.43). Then, Hailey Evans joined Ware, Evans, and Dotson to take the 4x100 relay (48.60). In the final event of the meet, Dotson, Dewitt, Kaylie Dupree, and Jackson took first place in the 4x400 (4:13.50).
Besides Gibbs, Huntington boys team picked up wins from Preston Summage (49.15) in the 400m and QuanTravious Bradford in the javelin (153-3.5).