Some discomfort in his right leg did not keep Hayden Smith from winning a third consecutive District 9 title and second straight state crown in the high jump. But to match his personal best, he had to first rid himself of the knot in his calf.

“Thank God I was able to get over that,” said Smith, a resident of Rimersburg and incoming senior at Union High School. “That two-week break I got after states really helped.”

Rimersburg’s Hayden Smith (left) and Clayton Bjork share a moment after placing first and second, respectively, in the boys 17-18 high jump at the AAU Junior Olympics on Wednesday in Iowa. Submitted Photo

He entered this week’s AAU Junior Olympics at Drake University in Iowa feeling healthy, confident and most notably, as the reigning champion in the event.

He successfully defended his title with a height of 6 feet, 10¾ inches, the same height he cleared to win last year’s event in North Carolina. He won Class 2A titles this year in District 9 (6-8¼) and at the state championship meet (6-8).

“I was patient all season and knew it would happen for me,” Smith said. “Dave (Sherman, coach) and I have been practicing a lot at Union High School. We moved my takeoff point back a foot to give my body a little more time to get past the height of the bar.

“Last year, I actually hit the bar (at 6-10¾), but it stayed up,” he added. “It was a cleaner jump this time.”

Seventy-three jumpers competed in the boys 17-18 event. Clayton Bjork, of Milwaukee Speed Academy, placed second at 6-8¾. Even after securing the win, Smith attempted to go just over seven feet.

“I was debating about trying for 6-11 just to get a personal-best, but I felt really good and took three shots at (7 feet, ½ inch),” said Smith. “The first two attempts did not go well. The third was much better, but my calf hit the bar.”

Smith’s best effort this year prior to his trip to Iowa was 6-9, achieved at the Brookville Invitational in mid-April. That effort had him ranked No. 2 in the country behind Jacob Carruthers, from Georgia, who went 6-10 earlier this year. The former said he was just as thrilled to win an AAU title this year as he was in 2022.

“This was the last year I could compete in the Junior Olympics,” he said. “I really wanted to win again.”