Photo by Derek Davis, Portland Press Herald

Kate Hall, quite possibly the best high school athlete ever in Maine, continued her meteoric rise this month at the New Balance National High School Invitational in Greensboro, North Carolina. Hall, the recent graduate from Lake Region High School in Naples, Maine, broke a high school record that had stood since 1976 with an unprecedented long jump of 22 feet, 5 inches. Although her record jump is not eligible for the NFHS National High School Sports Record Book because it occurred outside of Maine’s high school season, Hall is leaving the high school ranks as one of the best.  

The new record holder may come as a bit of a surprise to some. Firstly, Hall has Type I diabetes with celiac disease, conditions that would challenge many from achieving elite status. Additionally, her record leap was more than two feet longer than the state-record jump of 20-4.75 that won her the Maine Principal’s Association Class B title this June.

However, her success will come as no surprise to those in Maine who have seen her dominate the state meets. Between indoor and outdoor track, Hall has captured an astounding 26 state titles since her freshman year. She also owns the state records in the 100- and 200-meter dash.

Hall will attend Iowa State University in the fall, and hopes to make the U.S. Olympic trials next year.

Read more from the Portland Press Herald.