CM Track Star McCloy Is Buckeye Bound
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain’s record-setting high jumper Amelia McCloy lost her senior season to the coronavirus but the recent Wildcat graduate has her sights set higher, announcing recently she will be attending Ohio State University.
McCloy was a PIAA runner-up in the high jump as a junior one year ago. On her way to the highest-ever PIAA finish in Central Mountain track and field history, she established a new school record of 5 feet, 8 inches. With last year’s state title winner graduated, McCloy was in a good position to move from a silver medal her junior year to a gold medal in this, her senior season.
But the coronavirus knocked out those plans just as the season was unfolding in mid-March. Since then, McCloy had been considering where to continue her school and track work, choosing among Ohio State, Penn State, Lehigh and Michigan State.
With the Buckeyes announced as her choice, therecord-online offered a question-and-answer session to her:
How disappointing was it to lose your senior season?
I honestly don’t think it has really settled in yet. I’m trying not to focus on it too much, and instead be excited for what there is to come. I ended my high school track career on a great note with breaking the record one last time at the state meet. I’m extremely lucky to have the opportunity to compete for another 4 years at the collegiate level.
Was your PIAA runner-up finish the best ever in track and field in the spring out of the local school system?
Yes, my sophomore year I was the first person to place at states in 10 years, and then my junior year, I became the highest track and field states placer.
Have you been able to work out since mid-March? Any workout/summer plans until you go to OSU?
My former coach, Katherine Bidwell, made me an in-depth workout plan for the winter that I have carried on using. I try to jump at the track as much as possible and utilize the hills around my house to work on strength.
Why Ohio State?
When I visited, it was exactly what i was looking for. The urban campus and family dynamic of the team drew me in. I’m extremely excited to see what I can do there.
What will your major be and your goals there?
Biomedical Engineering; and to reach my full potential as a student athlete. It’s very uncommon for someone to major in engineering as a D1 athlete, and I want to set an example for the upcoming student athletes in our community.
When did you figure out you might be really good?
My 8th grade year something just clicked and I PR’d 5inches in a day with a jump of 5’1; states’ qualifying for a high school-er is 5’3.
How did you get into high jumping?
My sister, Grayson, and brother, Sam, both excelled in it, so of course I had to be better. My sister had the record before I broke it, so the sibling rivalry definitely helped me push myself more. She has always been extremely supportive of my accomplishments.
When did they compete at Central Mountain and how did they do?
My sister graduated in 2016 and my brother graduated in 2013. My brother holds the record at 6’5 and my sister held the record at 5’3.
Where are they now?
My sister just graduated from Penn State University and competed as a jumper for them for two years and my brother graduated from Lock Haven University two years ago and competed on their team for two years.
Were your parents into track? If so, how did they do?
Sandra, my mom, was a long jumper at Danville and broke her nose trying to high jump. My dad, Jim, was a high jumper in Reading and went to states for javelin. He has taught me practically everything I know about high jump
McCloy said she does not yet have a specific reporting date at Ohio State University, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
