Marblehead high jumper Clark Roszell takes major leap forward on the national stage

Marblehead High boys spring track rising sophomore Clark Roszell proudly shows off his New Balance outdoor track national nametag before he went to work as an elite high jumper against his nationwide peers at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field on June 20. COURTESY PHOTO

The Marblehead High School boys spring track program had two of its athletes — one a graduated senior (Nate Assa) and one a rising sophomore (Clark Roszell) — qualify for and participate in the New Balance Outdoor Track National Meet at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field June 19 and 20.

Assa went first on June 19, and proceeded to finish second in the nation, while running his personal best time in the 5,000 meters (14:25.19) to secure All-American honors, once again.

Marblehead High boys spring track high jumper Clark Roszell appreciates the moment as he knew he was about to be among the nation’s best at the annual New Balance Outdoor Track National Meet in Philadelphia on June 20. Roszall qualified for this elite meet after leaping six feet during the NEC Freshman/Sophomore meet last month. In Philly, he leaped 5-8.5 to end up 29th overall in the nation. COURTESY PHOTO

The next day the torch was passed to Roszell, and he was ready to face the nation. The rising sophomore high jumper cleared 5-8.5 to finish 29th overall against the elite from coast to coast.

Marblehead High boys spring track freshman Clark Roszell warms up on the Franklin Field turf in Philadelphia prior to competing in the high jump during the annual New Balance Outdoor Track National Meet on June 20. He leaped 5-8.5 to finish 20th overall in the nation. COURTESY PHOTO

“Clark jumped 5-8 during the indoor season, and at the end of that campaign he was the team’s Rookie of the Year,” said coach Nolan Raimo. “(Turning the page to the spring season), he catapulted onto the national stage with a jump of six-feet at the NEC (Northeastern Conference) Freshman/Sophomore meet, where he broke a meet record that stood for over 12 years.”

Raimo went on to say, “Clark is on the trajectory to be a truly special high jumper. He has the baseline build for a high jumping standing in at 6-7. His coordination, power and speed

improved drastically over the course of two seasons, and is now in position — especially with a strong offseason — to play a major role in conference and state competitions throughout the next three years.”