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Jamaal McClinton demonstrated early in his high school years that he would become one of the state's premier high jumpers. As a sophomore in 2001, McClinton cleared 6'7" in mid-April to rank fourth in the state on the season and placed 6th in the Class 6A state meet with a 6'4" clearance. Last year a basketball injury kept him under potential for the majority of the season. Though he jumped as well as 6'6" at times during the season, he was unable to find consistency and finished a disappointing fourth at the state competition with a jump of 6'2". |
Since winning this year's 6A indoor competition (6'6"), the Auburn senior has been over 6'8" multiple times during the outdoor season to stand alone at the top of Alabama performance lists. After a big clearance over 6'6" at the Challenge of Champions earier in April, McClinton declined his attempts at 6'8". Though the 6A high jump field can only hope he'll be so merciful at the state meet, the rest of us look forward to seeing this talented leaper jump at his full potential.