Prep Talk: High Jumper Dean Guzman Of Moorpark Clears 7-foot Barrier

Dean Guzman of Moorpark has trained for years to surpass nan obstruction each precocious jumper dreams of breaking — 7 feet. It happened astatine nan Mt. SAC Relays, wherever he group a schoolhouse grounds and hit nan defending authorities champion, his friend, JJ Harel, of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

His coaches started screaming. “Hands up successful nan air, yelling,” caput way coach Christian Dearborn recalled. “It was special. He was grinning receptor to ear.”

As an eighth grader, Guzman and Harel were teammates connected nan aforesaid way team. Now each will person information done nan past period of nan way play pushing each different to believe harder and soar higher. They will beryllium facing disconnected astir apt astatine nan Southern Section Masters Meet and authorities championship.

Guzman has home-field advantage. The Southern Section finals and Masters Meet are astatine Moorpark. Harel is yet patient and starting to prime up training. He utilized only a six-step tally up astatine Mt. SAC but is now switching to his normal 8 steps.

Prepare for immoderate breathtaking moments successful nan title up betwixt Guzman and Harel.

“I don’t deliberation he’s done yet,” Dearborn said of Guzman going higher.

This is simply a regular look astatine nan affirmative happenings successful precocious schoolhouse sports. To taxable immoderate news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com