Rayvon Grey, player of the year, Beacon track & field
Beacon’s Rayvon Grey sets NY State long jump record.
Rayvon Grey may or may not make it to Dutchess Stadium in time for his Beacon High School graduation ceremony Saturday.
That’s only because Grey competed Friday in Clovis, California in the U.S. Track and Field junior outdoor nationals.
He participated in his signature event, the long jump, which did not end until after the Journal went to press. But hours before he competed, Grey was named New York State’s track and field Gatorade Athlete of the Year, an award announced in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports.
The Louisiana State University-bound jumper became the first-ever athlete from Beacon to capture the award.
“It’s kind of amazing when you think about how many thousands of kids who participate in track and field in New York,” Beacon track and field coach Jim Henry said. “It’s exciting. Having what they consider to be the best track athlete in one of the most competitive states is pretty exciting. It’s an honor, definitely.”
Grey put together a season worthy of the accolade.
At the Division I state meet, he broke a 51-year-old state record set by Bob Beamon in the long jump. Grey leapt 25 feet, 4 ¾ inches to claim the record — and not long before he did, he got the validation from Beamon.
“It meant a lot. I met him a week before I broke it,” Grey said. “I thought that was so cool. It was almost like getting the ‘OK’ to break the record. I remember everyone was clapping for me.”
At the state meet, he also took second in the triple jump.
Additionally, Grey collected two national championships. He won the long jump at the outdoor New Balance Nationals (24-3 ½) and the indoor New Balance Nationals (26-1/4), which was a meet record.
To his coach, the Gatorade Player of the Year is another accomplishment Grey can take with him as he jumps towards the future.
“It’s one more thing for his resume,” Henry said, “as he heads off to college.”
A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports