One of the most memorable events at the OSAA 6A track championships: Summit’s Collin Moore outlasting West Linn’s Adam Maxwell in a ‘jumpoff’

“I’m speechless. ... It was awesome. There’s no feeling like it. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom 

To prepare for his first OSAA track and field state meet, Summit sophomore Collin Moore simulated several high jump competitions at practice. 

However, none could have prepared Moore for what he faced last Saturday in Eugene on the Hayward Field apron. 

There he was, going mano-a-mano with last year’s Class 6A culminating-week state meet champion, Adam Maxwell of West Linn, after they were the only two competitors to clear 6 feet, 5 inches.

When neither could make 6-6 in the allotted three jumps, and neither tiebreaker (misses at the last height and total misses) could settle matters, it required a jumpoff to determine the state champion — something that hadn’t happened in at least four decades.

The advantage should have gone to Maxwell, a Montana signee who had gone 6-7 during his career. Moore? The 6-5 jump he made on his second attempt was his personal best.

Neither jumper cleared 6-6 to open the jumpoff. The bar dropped to 6-5, and when both made it, it went back to 6-6.

Moore went first, and while he brushed the bar, it stayed up.

“Coming in, I’d been jumping really well, and I knew I could do it,” Moore said. “It was just, could I get the right jump?”

Maxwell went next. He, too, brushed the bar, but after looking for a second as if it would stay on the standards, it suddenly clattered to the ground, and with that, Moore was a state champion.

“I’m speechless right now,” Moore said. “It was awesome. There’s no feeling like it. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

He also could feel for Maxwell. 

“He was phenomenal. Even on his last jump, the bar barely fell down. He should have had it. That was the best competition I could ask for. It was just surreal.”

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Best photos from Day 2 of 6A, 5A, 4A Oregon high school track and field state championships