Jumping over limits

Senior Tyler Doiron’s high jump score qualifies him for state championships

PHOTO+COURTESY+OF+TYLER+DOIRON

PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLER DOIRON

The arena booms with the thunderous roar of the audience. The floor shakes and pompoms are flung into the air. The athletes run onto the court, ready to play the best game of their lives. As a basketball star, this is the experience that senior Tyler Doiron reveled in on a frequent basis. However, on March 9, 2020, these electric events were halted for what would become a hiatus of over a year. In resignation, many athletes who have previously devoted much of their time to basketball surrendered their passion for physical activity. On the other hand, there was Doiron, who not only attempted a new sport but also received one of RUHS’ best high jump placements in nearly 25 years. 

High jump is a track and field event in which competitors are required to jump over a horizontal bar at certain, measured heights without displacing it. Doiron jumped over 6 feet and 4 inches in his first track and field meet, an achievement that qualified him for state-level championships. 

“I think I’ll definitely jump higher this year, compared to last year,” Doiron said. “Basketball training is very similar to high jump training. So, most of what I do in basketball will help me in track, once track season starts.”

Doiron began high-jumping during the pandemic, mainly because he wanted to stay active during his period of hiatus from basketball.

“I’ve played sports my whole life and I didn’t really know what to do [during this time],” Doiron says. “Everyone told me to do track. So, I finally succumbed to peer pressure, and said I would try it.”

Committing himself to both sports equally, Doiron aspires to continue to high jump and playing basketball in college. 

“I definitely think that there’s an opportunity for me to get a scholarship or at least compete in college,” Doiron says. “I also want to play basketball because I think [high jumping and basketball] go hand in hand, due to the similar training for both.” 

Doiron’s placement already meets Harvard University’s high jump standard and opens him up to a variety of colleges to attend. 

“If I can go to Harvard, I’m not going to be sad,” Doiron said. “Harvard is a very prestigious school, but as of right now I’m looking to increase [my high jump] number so that it opens [me] up to a greater variety of schools.”

Doiron’s track and field coach, Bob Leetch, strongly believes that Doiron has the potential to reach his goals. 

“I think he’s got the ability and the talent to [increase his high jump number],” Leetch says. “For someone who has just started [this] event to be that good is remarkable. He’s got tons of potential and he’s super coachable.”

Bob Leetch claims that he is confident in Doiron’s future progression in the sport, despite the obstacles that may have hindered Doiron from getting extra time to practice during the COVID-19 quarantine period.

“He’s a hard worker,” Leetch said. “Some people don’t work hard since they just have lots of talent. So, they think that they’re [already] good, but you just don’t see their improvement. However, [Doiron] appears to have a really good work ethic and a great attitude.”

After Doiron made it onto the track team, he found that he enjoyed the sport for its individuality. He recommends that, if anyone is interested in track and field, they should join the team. 

“It’s a fun experience,” Doiron says. “There’s not a lot of pressure that goes with it. It’s an individual sport where you’re part of a team. So, your performance doesn’t affect anybody else’s standing.  I don’t have to carry anybody or put pressure on myself for somebody else, which is what I love about it.”