Flying high: Young Bermudian Springs' jumpers hitting new heights

The top two jumpers on the Bermudian Springs track and field team haven't gotten offers from any colleges yet. But maybe that's only because they're underclassmen. 

Kolt Byers, a sophomore, is one of the top jumpers in the YAIAA. He's busted the Bermudian Springs' school record in high jump, and he's looking to place later this spring at the PIAA meet. 

On the girls' side is Rachel Spangler, a freshman. She recently earned a new school record, too, and she's taken first place more often than not this season.

Byers came into the season wanting to beat his personal best of 6-foot-6. Now he's upping the standard. 

He has knocked down Bermudian's school record in high jump, leaping to 6-foot-8 on April 14 at the Arctic Blast Invitational at Northern York High School, beating the school record by 5.5 inches. But he's still hungry for more. 

Not only does Byers want to be the best in the state, which his coaches believe he can accomplish, but he wants to be the best in the nation, or at least keep up with them. 

"I'm going to change my goal for this season to 6-feet-11," Byers said. "Because there's a guy right now, he's No. 1 in the nation, and he jumped (6-8) his sophomore year. I want to keep up with the best." 

The No. 1 high jumper in the nation, according to athletic.net, is Jake Grimsman, a senior from California. He has the top spot with a jump of 7-foot-3. 

"I'm only a sophomore, I still have two more years, you know," he said. "So I want to get as high as I can." 

Bermudian Springs jumping coach Missy Wagner says that Byers' work ethic is one of his biggest assets. 

"Kolt worked really hard all winter long," Wagner said. "Even at the end of last season, he was always watching videos (and) trying new techniques. He really put a lot of his own time into it." 

Byers also competes in the triple and long jumps. His main priority, he says, is the high jump. But that doesn't stop him from trying to beat his own records in the other events. 

"He does not like to get beat," Wagner said with a chuckle. "He's very competitive. Anything he sets his mind to he does." 

Byers is looking to qualify for the state meet this year, something that didn't happen for him as a freshman. 

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After taking a No. 2 seed to the District 3 meet last season, Byers said his jump was a little disappointing, only 5-foot-10. He's looking to blow past that mark this year en route to the PIAA meet. 

"I want to win states this year," he said, bluntly. 

He still has two years left to complete his final goal: being the best in the nation. And he's hoping that he can nail down a spot at either Texas Tech or Texas A&M to further his career past high school. 

For the girls, Spangler has had a standout freshman year. 

Spangler said her goal this season is to beat the school record of 5-foot-4. She can check that off her list.

Spangler busted that record at the Adams County Invitational on April 20, jumping to a personal best and posting a Bermudian Springs' record of 5-foot-4.25.   

"It's crazy," Byers said of Spangler's talent and youth. "It makes things a lot of fun." 

While she's a stand-out jumper, she also divides her time up with other events. 

Spangler helps the team earn points in the 400-meter race, the 400 relay and either the 100- or 200-meter dash, depending on the day. 

"I just kind of go with the flow," she said about balancing the other events. But she did note that high jump is her favorite event.

If she keeps on track, she could be looking at a state championship before she's done at Bermudian Springs. 

Last year, the No. 1 spot at the state meet was earned with a jump of 5-foot-6. 

What keeps her motivated on the track? "The excitement and having your name be with the school record," she said.

"It's like a happy thing," she added with a laugh. 

Wagner said that Spangler came out in the first meet and was a little tentative, but she's warming up to the high school level now. 

"Once she got that first (jump) under her belt and then she cleared that 5-foot (mark), now I think she's more comfortable," Wagner said. 

The Bermudian Springs' boys are currently tied for the first place in YAIAA's Division III with York Tech, both at 4-0 in both the division and overall. 

The Bermudian Springs' girls are in second place, at 3-1 division and overall. The Delone Catholic Squires are No. 1, with a 5-0 record.