Jared Sexsmith began the year with a 128-centimetre personal best high jump. After that, he just kept raising the bar.

The 12-year-old member of the Vernon AAA Track & Field Club was honored at the B.C. Junior Development Awards Banquet recently in Vancouver for clearing the 149-cm standard set by the committee. He was one of eight male athletes, and the lone high jumper, to receive an award.

Sexsmith, coached by Ian Cameron, finished no worse than second in high jump at any club meet he went in this year, and won gold at the B.C. Junior Development Championships in Kamloops in August, shattering his personal best by 14 cm.

Sexsmith was also honored earlier this fall at the Vernon club’s awards banquet, earning Most Improved Male Athlete and the Most Valuable Athlete (9-14 age group).