MacDonald's skills put him out of reach

Jaggar MacDonald is an athlete opponents love to hate.

By JOE SMITH
Published April 26, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Jaggar MacDonald is an athlete opponents love to hate.

The shaggy-haired St. Petersburg Catholic senior, a high-jumping novice two months ago, cleared state-elite heights this season with his typical aw-shucks smile.

Fellow competitors, some of whom have toiled with technique for years to reach 6 feet, stood stunned when MacDonald topped 6-6 in just three weeks.

They quipped: "Where did this guy come from?"

The beach.

MacDonald, a blond-haired Barons basketball player, loved playing beach volleyball with SPC senior James "Mac" Volk.

Volk, who was bored high jumping by himself last season, talked MacDonald into trying the event. Little did "Mac" know his buddy would turn into the quintessential quick study, a state title contender getting recruited by USF.

"It still hasn't hit me yet," MacDonald said with a grin. "I don't know what to say - it just comes naturally to me."

MacDonald, a 6-2 senior, started with the goal to jump his height.

He completed the feat the first day.

Three weeks ago, MacDonald cleared a personal-best 6-8 - "the best jump of my life."

"If he worked on technique for two years, he could easily jump 6-11 or 7 feet," SPC coach Dave Lopez said. "Even with incoming freshmen, it takes typically a year or two to develop."'

MacDonald's far-from-perfect mechanics stem from deeper reasons than simply being a "rookie." He said he sometimes struggles arching his back due to lingering soreness from a car accident in the fall of 2005.

On his way to school that year, MacDonald's red Jeep Cherokee was "T-boned" on Tyrone Boulevard by a car going 50 mph. The impact slammed MacDonald's head into the driver's side window.

He left the scene OK - "I didn't even want to go the hospital" - but to be safe he skipped basketball season.

"This year was my senior year so I wanted to go all-out, not hold anything back," MacDonald said.

The same holds true for Saturday's state meet, which MacDonald is approaching with the confidence and intensity befitting a cagey veteran.

"I'm not gonna lose," he said. "I've got to win - that's the only option."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or 727 893-8129.

Fast Facts:

State track

When: Friday (Class A) and Saturday (Class 2A)

Admission: $8.

Format: Field events start at 1 p.m., running finals at 7. Trophies go to the team champion and runnerup. Medallions are awarded to the top eight individuals and relay teams.

Where: Showalter Field, Winter Park

Directions: Take Interstate 275 to I-4; exit at Fairbanks and travel east. Follow through Winter Park (road name changes to Aloma) to light at Lakemont Ave. Turn right on Lakemont, pass Winter Park Hospital and turn left at next light (Mizell Ave.) Turn right on Perth (just past parking lot for the Wellness Center). Follow Perth through Ward Park to Showalter parking lot at the far end on the right.

Region track

Class 4A, Region 2

Where: Gaither

When: Today. Field events start at 1 p.m.; running finals at 7.

Class 3A, Region 3

Where: Sarasota Booker

When: Today. Field events start at 1 p.m.; running finals at 7.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:18:37]