High jump is a test of athleticism, technique, and determination. For Johnny Geschke, Class of 2024, high jump isn’t only about clearing bars; it’s all about reaching new heights both on and off the track.
Geschke fell in love with high jump in 6th grade track and his passion has grown ever since. “It’s a bigger adrenaline rush to be able to clear a higher height,” says Geschke. Ranked 4th in state, he has his sights set on this year’s state championship after placing 5th at state last year with a jump of 6 feet 3 inches. He thinks that clearing a height of 6 feet 6 inches would put him in the mix to win the high jump title this May.
His coach, Monte Gutowski, says that “being able to work with him has been one of the little things that has helped him grow and be able to improve so much as a high jumper, and I think he has owned it as well as trying to be a technician and [he is] really super specific on what are the things he needs to pick apart to work on which has been fun to see his investment in [this] particular event.”
As the state championships draw near, Geschke remains determined focusing on each movement and the technique contributing to the overall height of his jump and pushing himself each practice, devoting himself to his goal of gold.
Currently this season Jonny Geschke’s best jump is 6 feet 2 inches where he placed first in the Larry Pickering Invitational and the All City Invitational. With several more track meets leading up to the state championship in May, Geschke is confident in himself and his performance to strive for success at the state level.
For Geschke, the sky is truly the limit, with dreams as high as his jumps. “He’s worked through a lot of different things and that’s a testament to his growth mentally and emotionally and it makes me super proud to see where’s he’s started to where he’s at right now” coach Gutowski exclaims.
