Muhlenberg's T.J. White sets the bar high after first-place finish at Shaner Meet
May 8—The memory remains surprisingly vivid for T.J. White despite all the years that have passed.
It was Field Day at 10th and Penn Elementary and White happened to try the high jump. It was his first crack at the event that was about to become his specialty. He finished second that day.
"Ever since then I was just mad that I lost," White said. "I kept working at it. Hoping one day I'd be leading it."
It appears that day is here.
There haven't been many second-place finishes in White's more recent history. The Muhlenberg senior's latest victory came at the John H. Shaner Invitational at Wyomissing Friday.
White cleared 6-2 and positioned himself for possible county gold at next week's Firing Meet. He finished third behind Reading High's Justin Walker in the triple jump.
Among the girls winners on the first day of competition were Reading High's Mylina Castillo (triple jump) and Wilson's Madi Herb (300 hurdles). Boys winners included Boyertown's Jacob Bardsley (300 hurdles) and teammate Cameron Kratz (3200).
Schuylkill Valley's Ashlyn Giles extended her country record in the discus by throwing 150-0.
One of the reasons the high jump appealed to White was it reminded him of his other sport. The 6-2 guard was an all-division basketball player in the winter. He averaged 15 points per game for one of the top teams in the state.
It turns out there's some overlap between clearing the bar and driving the lane.
"The thing I like most about it is it's basically like a layup," White said. "You just go over the bar and arch. It comes natural."
As White was preparing for one of his jumps, settling into the meditation zone he likes to find prior to his approach, the gun sounded and the runners in the 200 prelims raced around the track.
Everyone's attention reflexively shifted toward the race. White's eyes never strayed from his target. He was locked in.
"He's very laid back," Muhlenberg jumps coach Darrin Dietrich said. "He has a calm personality, which I think helps him when he's competing. He never gets too upset or angry after he jumps."
Every day is busy for White. In addition to being a two-sport standout, he's a National Honor Society member who works two jobs.
Some nights he gets home at close to midnight, goes to bed and starts virtual school early in the morning. He makes sure all his classwork is finished before track practice begins in the afternoon.
White also took first at the Schuylkill Valley Invitational last week. His personal best is 6-6. The senior said he's trying to achieve those higher numbers more consistently.
"Today wasn't my best day," White said. "I'm just blessed that I was able to win. I know I can do way better. I just want to keep pushing. I want to be consistent at the 6-4, 6-5 level."
Dietrich shot video of one of White's jumps and played it back for him between attempts. White, who will compete at Kutztown University next year, has become a student of the craft. His biggest goal, a county championship, is still out there.
Two years ago, White finished seventh at the Firing Meet. He didn't get a chance to improve on that placement because last season was canceled by COVID-19.
"I remember seeing what those guys were doing and studying them," White said. "I just kept working and taking notes. Knowing that when I got to this place, it was my turn."
White hopes his turn comes next week.
