Dryden’s DePaull finishes top 5 at States

Many athletes from Tompkins County made the trip down to Staten Island last weekend to compete in the New York State Track and Field Championships, but only one finished in the top five of their event. Dryden senior Bryant DePaull was able to complete a spectacular season by placing fifth in the high jump with a score of 6 feet 2 inches.

DePaull consistently was at the top of the leaderboard in Section IV this season, having the top score of any high jumper in the section regardless of school size. His season-best of 6 feet 4 inches is just 2 inches off of Dryden’s school record as well. Even with all of that success, placing fifth in the state was beyond his expectations.

“It’s a weird feeling,” DePaull said. “I don’t see myself as one of those better athletes. But when you really get down to it, I placed fifth there, which was a surprise. I was going up against the best of the best. It’s just a really good feeling.”

DePaull explained that a lack of true high jump practices outside of meets was the source of his surprise when it came to his results.

“At first, of course, I was nervous,” DePaull said. “But actually getting there and getting into the infield with all of the other athletes, I sort of calmed down. I was able to compose myself. Then, once I actually got that 6’2” jump, I was excited and I was ready to jump more. It just happens that that wasn’t my day. I mean, I jumped 6’2”, which isn’t bad for me, but it could be better.”

It came down to DePaull’s third and final attempt at 6 feet 2 inches to clear the bar. He discussed how he mentally prepared himself for the very important jump.

“I remember I was just pumping myself up,” DePaull said. “I was telling myself, ‘You are going to get over this bar.’ When they called me up, I got ready and I was still getting that adrenaline going. I went up and I had a pretty good run up and I was able to get over the bar. I felt like the jump was one of my best. I felt like it was probably a 6’4” jump. Hyping myself up really did help in that jump.”

Coming back from states alongside teammates Aidan Kalousdian and Nathan Turner, DePaull is happy with the support he’s received from Dryden.

“It’s a really good feeling, just having that support from the community even though, in my eyes, it was an alright jump,” DePaull said. “But just seeing all that support from everyone really has made it a lot better. It’s really made this experience a lot better for me.”

During DePaull’s junior season, indoor track was canceled by Section IV due to COVID-19, so he was a starter for the varsity basketball team instead. DePaull pondered what could have been if he had another full season of development under his belt.

“Going back to that season that we lost, it would have been really good to have that,” he said. “I’m not sure if I would be better now if I had that, but I feel like it’s just one step in my progression. I’m hoping for this outdoor season to probably be my best — not even in just high jump, for all of my events. I’m hoping to have that improvement and have those PRs come in.”

With one more outdoor track season left before he graduates, DePaull has his eyes on setting the aforementioned school record, hoping to clear a 6-foot-7-inch bar.

“My biggest goal is probably going for that school record,” he said. “I think where I’m at now, with a PR of 6’4”, there’s still a lot for me to learn. I think with practice — I’m getting into the weight room, helping with my vertical and all that — I think I could definitely get to that mark.”

After the physical work is done, DePaull explained that it takes one more factor to perform your best at any track meet.

“I feel like confidence is one of the biggest things in track in general,” he said. “If you have low confidence with any event, you’re not going to perform to your fullest. So, just building that confidence and being able to be comfortable in your event is really important to get those PRs.”

Confidence was the key in getting DePaull over the 6-foot-2-inch bar at the State Championships. With one more season to go and potentially another trip to states, the work is not yet done for the senior.

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