TIFTON — Even those not in the high jump area Saturday knew something magical was happening at the Anthony Bateman Invitational.

Jamir Bradley of Valdosta and Jamari Johnson of Tift County were battling. Both sailed over 6-2 without issue. Bradley got 6-4 on the first try, Johnson on the second. Both needed a second try at 6-6, but got it as the crowd simultaneously cheered and gasped at what they were seeing.

For the second time this season, Johnson had tied the TCHS team record. The bar was raised, one inch this time to 6-7. One miss for both. Two misses. Bradley was almost over, but a mere graze caused the bar to fall.

Johnson went again. His bar didn’t shake. The crowd erupted as they knew the record was his. Johnson flew off the mat and ran to coach J.C. Clark, and the two celebrated with a chest bump.

The bar went up again: 6-8. Could he do it? Yes, he could. Johnson went over 6-8 on the first try, to another roar of the crowd. Berrien coach Eddie Ryan, in charge of high jump Saturday, had the bar raised to 6-9. Johnson gave it two attempts, but declined a third.

That Johnson is the new record-holder is not a shock to those who have seen him compete this year. That he has done so very quickly may be.

Clark said Johnson only came out for the track team in 2024 after previously focusing on wrestling. He’s come a long way in a short span.

“He went out at region last year at 5-8,” Clark said. “To see him go from 5-8 to already a 6-8 — that’s only the initial phase of where he’s headed.”

Seven feet is not out of the question, said not only Clark, but Johnson as well.

Clark describes Johnson as a “Great kid” in all categories. “If you need anything, he says ‘Coach, I got you’.” This mark is all Johnson, he said. “He made up his mind he wanted to be great,” Clark said.

Johnson wasn’t the only Tift County winner at its Anthony Bateman Invitational. Nairobi Graham continued her dominance in the 400, speeding to victory in 57.8 seconds, nearly three seconds ahead of second place. Anthony Pace scaled 12 feet to win pole vault, 1.5 feet more than any other competitors.

Early last week, the forecast was bleak. Rain was expected for the weekend, which meant the Invitational would be wiped out for a second straight year. But the weather system held off a day and it was mostly sunny skies for the Blue Devils and 11 other schools participating.

Tift County track is headed up. Even though the Lady Devils won their first region title in 15 years in 2024, the coaches are asking what athletes what they will do differently to get better. “The results from last year can’t be the results from this year,” Clark said. “The work from last year can’t be the work we put in this year.”

Also in the top 10 for the TCHS track teams were:

Boys 100: Marshall Howard (7th).

Girls 100: Diamond Wallace (9th).

Girls 100 hurdles: Aziyah Lockett (6th).

Boys 110 hurdles: Jordan Gaskins (4th).

Girls 200: Graham (3rd).

Boys 300 hurdles: Gaskins (2nd).

Boys 400: Ja’Quayvinn Pettiford (2nd).

Girls 400: Stella Bryant (7th).

Boys 800: Russ Benton (2nd) and William Tyre (8th).

Girls 800: Illianna Cleveland (3rd), Emmalyn Lukas (9th).

Boys 1,600: Owen Davies (7th).

Girls 1,600: Lola Reynolds (9th).

Boys 3,200: Kason Horner (8th) and Henry Anderson (9th).

Boys 4×200: 5th.

Girls 4×200: 2nd.

Girls 4×400: 3rd.

Boys 4×800: 2nd.

Girls 4×800: 3rd.

Boys discus: Rylan Pearman (10th).

Boys high jump: Jarvis Howard (8th).

Boys long jump: Royal Scott (7th).

Girls discus: Akele Brown (7th).

Girls long jump: Wallace (7th).

Boys pole vault: Jaxson Hughes (3rd).

Boys shot put: Peyton Hipps (4th).

Boys triple jump: Latravean Lockett (5th).