Vernon Turner, a senior at Yukon High School in Oklahoma, cleared a US #8 all-time height and Oklahoma state record in the high jump with his 7'5" clearance on Friday at the Zebra Invitational hosted by Claremore High School. Turner was the nation's top returning high jumper coming into the outdoor season after clearing 7'4.50" last May at the Oklahoma State Meet to establish the state record, which he just broke again today.
Interview: Turner after clearing 7'4.50" at 2016 Oklahoma State Meet
Despite his incredible performances over the last two outdoor seasons in the high jump, Turner is virtually unknown nationally as he has primarily only competed in-state and never ventured out to any national post-season meets. Can that change this spring with a modification to Turner's schedule? The rest of the country would sure love to witness a 7'5" high jump performance in person.His hops also translate obviously over to the basketball court as during his junior year, he recorded 38 dunks.
Two more inches away for Turner is the national record of 7'7" set by Andra Manson from Brenham, Texas 15 years ago in 2002.
US Top 10 All-Time List In Boys High Jump (Compiled by Track & Field News)
| Rank | height | athlete (school) | year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7-7 | Andra Manson (Brenham, Texas) | 2002 |
| 2 | 7-6 | *Dothel Edwards (Cedar Shoals, Athens, Georgia) | 1983 |
| 3 | 7-5¾ | *James White (Grandview, Missouri) | 2009 |
| 4 | 7-5¼ | Tom Smith (Heyworth, Illinois) | 1985 |
| 4 | 7-5¼i | *Scott Sellers (Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas) | 2004 |
| 6 | 7-5i | Gail Olson (Sycamore, Illinois) | 1978 |
| 6 | 7-5 | Kenny Evans (Pine Bluff, Arkansas) | 1997 |
| 6 | 7-5 | Vernon Turner (Yukon, Oklahoma) | 2017 |
| 8 | 7-4¾ | James Lott (Refugio, Texas) | 1983 |
| 9 | 7-4½ | Maurice Crumby (Balboa, San Francisco, California) | 1983 |
| 9 | 7-4½ | *Rick Noji (Franklin, Seattle, Washington) | 1984 |
| 9 | 7-4½ | Brad Speer (East, Wichita, Kansas) | 1984 |
| 9 | 7-4½ | Paul Klemic (Mainland, Linwood, New Jersey) | 2000 |
| 9 | 7-4½i | Erik Kynard (Rogers, Toledo, Ohio) | 2009 |
| 9 | 7-4½ | Darius Carbin (Mt. Pleasant, San José, California) | 2016 |
