Jumping past the competition (PHOTOS)

HUDSON – The Aplington-Parkersburg boys track and field team is consistently clearing the bar as the spring season kicks into gear.

Junior Bodden's win in the high jump highlighted a strong showing in the jumping and hurdle events for the Falcon boys, taking third out of nine teams at the Pirate Relays in Hudson last Friday night.

Bodden cleared 6-4 to win the event, with teammate Jayden Mackie coming in third after clearing 5-8.

Earlier in the week, Bodden cleared 6-6 to reach the Drake Relays Blue Standard in the high jump, ensuring automatic qualification to the event later this month in Des Moines. Mackie cleared 6-4 at the same meet in Grundy Center, which is currently above the Drake Relays' cutoff of 6-3.

After running away with the victory in Hudson, Bodden was unsuccessful in three attempts at besting his mark set at Grundy Center's co-ed meet.

"I can work more on my form," Bodden said. "That's what I'm working with with Coach [Al] Kerns on the weekend."

Kerns' advice has been straightforward for the A-P basketball standout.

"He helped me a lot with my step and stuff," Bodden said. "He always told me to just jump like you're dunking a basketball, that's what it's all about."

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