This High Jumper Is 14 Going on 6-0

Crissy Mills could be to the Campbell Hall High track team what Larry Bird is to the Boston Celtics--a major point producer.

Mills will be a freshman at Campbell Hall next fall, which is one reason the school is adding girls track to its sports programs next season.

Mills, 14, competes in the high jump, 440-yard dash and mile relay for the West Valley Eagles Track Club. It is her jumping ability, however, that has already won her national acclaim.

At the age of 12, Mills won national high jump championship in her age group with a mark of 5-0. A year later, she won The Athletic Congress international age group high jump title in Eugene, Ore., with a jump of 5-1.

This spring, she cleared 5-6 at a meet at Agoura High.

Jeff Cassidy, coach of the Eagles, said Mills has the potential to continue her rapid improvement.

“She is very coachable,” Cassidy said. “She is calm outwardly, but has an intensely competitive nature. She’s got what it takes as far as conditioning and jumping ability. And, has enough understanding of the techniques of high jumping to get through.”

Mills is as much an individual in attitude as she is in accomplishment.

“I like high jumping because not a whole bunch of people do it,” Mills said. “I don’t like to be like anyone else at all.”

Mills, who also competes on the Campbell Hall junior high basketball, volleyball and softball teams, receives plenty of support from her parents.

“They encourage me,” Mills said. “But they say whenever you want, you can stop.”

Mills started to compete in the high jump as a fourth grader. She said the endless challenge appeals to her.

“It’s up to you and the bar and the way you jump that day,” Mills said.