ZION DEDMON

Muskogee High School

In a span of just two years, Zion Dedmon has gone from being a spectator to one of the top performers competing in the high jump against Oklahoma’s best in Class 5A boys track. Continuing to master his skills, the gifted junior has the potential to claim the state’s top prize by season’s end.

“A couple of years ago, I was watching a track meet on television and thought I’d give it a try,” said Dedmon when asked to explain when he first began to compete in the event. “There’s a lot of training and technique required to really be good in this event.”

Already this spring, Dedmon leads a group of four Muskogee athletes competing in the high jump with a personal best 6-foot-2 leap over the bar and winning two gold medals in early season meets.

“Zion is a gifted athlete that has a high level of raw athleticism,” said Craig Perry, head coach of the Roughers’ track teams. “His height and individual intangibles are a real plus. With a little polish to his form, I’m confident he’ll go over the bar at much higher levels. He’s currently ranked sixth in class 5A.”

The Roughers’ coach notes the importance of speed to enhance Dedmon’s chances to take it up a notch.

“We’re working on creating speed on his approach by running two or three days a week depending upon the competition schedule,” said Perry. “Zion trains with our sprinters in their speed workouts in order to have the proper approach and create power on his jump. ”

Admitting his willingness to follow the coach’s training plan to improve his results, Dedmon tries to keep things simple when his name is called to perform by the track announcer.

“I just try to relax while waiting my turn to jump. Then when it’s my turn, I want to make sure my steps are good,” Dedmon said while demonstrating his patterned approach. “The first four is where I begin building my speed and the last three are short steps. I want to get low to allow me to explode up and get over the bar.”