Lebanon
Sullivan finished his freshman year in second in boys long jump and tied for fourth in the boys high jump at the NHIAA Division II outdoor track and field championships last spring. This past winter season, Sullivan — now a sophomore — made progress, finishing first (20 feet, 5½ inches) in the boys long jump and third (5-10) in the boys high jump at the D-II indoor states at Dartmouth College’s Leverone Field House. Lebanon’s boys team finished eighth out of 21 schools, and Sullivan solidified his place as the Raiders’ go-to jumper after only two full seasons of competition.
Officials from Down Under Sports took notice and sent Sullivan an invitation to compete in the 17th Down Under Track and Field Meet on the Griffith University campus in Brisbane, Australia, in early July. Now, Sullivan and his family are beginning the fundraising process to help offset the $6,100 travel expense.
“I was really excited,” Sullivan said last week upon receiving his invitation. “I was not expecting it at all. I was completely surprised.”
Sullivan first took up track last year as a way to train for football; he plays fullback and cornerback for the Raiders, positions that emphasize jumping and quick bursts of speed. Star Lebanon running back Ryan Milliken is also a track standout, and it didn’t take long for Sullivan to also discover a passion for highly individualized track and field.
“I like how you’re always battling yourself,” he said. “Like, you’re always trying to outdo what you did last time.”
Lozeau said his team hasn’t seen an athlete stand out in high jump and long jump events as quickly as Sullivan has since John Cioffredi won three high jump championships and two long jump titles in the 2013-14 seasons.
Sullivan, Milliken and junior Zach Petrin are all highly ranked long jumpers coming into this spring’s season; Lozeau said he is hoping the trio can sweep the event at states.
“It’s the athleticism and then, now that he’s realized this is something he could be good at, he’s gone all in, which is why I think he’s interested in the Down Under Games,” Lozeau said. “Last year he got a letter about it, and he asked me, ‘What is this?’ I said, ‘Well, it’s a thing. We’ve sent kids before and we’ve fundraised for it, but it’s more fun than anything.’ It’s just another way to go out there and compete, and you get a little bit of a showcase because college coaches look at that stuff.
“He has that background in athletics,” Lozeau added. “He’s new to track, but he’s always just been doing things, so that made it an easy transition to track. … I think he realized he could be really good, and we told him, ‘Dude, you should really think about this.’ ”
Sullivan admitted he doesn’t know a whole lot about this summer’s meet in Australia, but he’s set goals well in advance.
“My goal for the high jump is 6-4,” he said. “I know that’s a tough goal. … For long jump, I’m hoping I can hit 22 feet.
The Sullivans need to raise the money by June 2 in order to register for the Games’ Austrailia tournament package. Cathy Sullivan, Ryan’s mother, said the family is beginning to look for sponsors and is looking into a bake sale, a silent auction and a car wash this spring to help raise money. Lozeau said Lebanon has helped athletes raise money to compete overseas in the past.
The Down Under Games begin July 2.
Sullivan hopes he can return to Lebanon a more well-rounded athlete with a new perspective on the sport.
“I see myself being nervous,” he said. “I guess I’m expecting a lot of people to be there. It’ll be very overwhelming. … I started track last year. I had no idea I’d ever be doing something like this.”
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.