When he joined the track team a year ago, Manny Bolmer has some mixed feelings about his progress in the long jump.

“I thought I could be pretty good at it,” reflected Bolmer. “The coaches thought I could be pretty god at it because of my speed, strength, and being on the football team. I thought I was coming along with it.”

Bolmer’s personal best last season was 19 feet, and it provided him with plenty of motivation for this season. It didn’t take him long to show an improvement.

In the team’s opening meet against Bangor, Bolmer set a new school record with a mark of 22-4, breaking the previous record of 22-3 set by Chris Ritter in 1997. He jumped 22 feet in his first attempt before setting the record on his second.

Bolmer liked the distance of his leap, but he wasn’t aware of the record.

“I felt that I did pretty good,” he said. “But I really didn’t think anything about setting a record. I finally knew at the end of the meet.

“When I heard about it, I was shocked. I was proud of myself, and it was a great accomplishment.”

Head coach Kyle Rusnock was excited and proud of the junior’s jump for him and the program.

“It was amazing watching Manny beat the record,” gushed Rusnock. “Manny’s first jump of the meet was jaw dropping, launching an incredible 22 feet. His second jump was even better breaking the record.

“We weren’t sure at first if he broke the record until we checked and kept it quiet until it was announced. Needless to say, it was a moment for us coaches watching the celebration.”

Rusnock also believes Bolmer can further elevate his game.

“Manny is a phenomenal athlete and deserves to hold the title,” stressed Rusnock. “He has put in the extra work coming to track workouts over the summer and he takes care of business at practice. He is a special talent with great speed and the ability to jump. The rest of the season is going to be exciting.”

Bolmer, who also runs the 100 and 300 hurdles as well as being a leg on the 400 relay is anxious to take the next step. He recently ran a 45.7 in the hurdles.

“I having been doing my best in the hurdles and the 100,” said Bolmer. “I know I have to work on those, but I really want to concentrate on the long jump.

“I now know what I can do, and I want to push myself harder. It was great getting the record, but I want to do even better.”