Caesar Rodney High grad William Berry recently cleared 7-feet, 1/2-inch in the indoor high jump to become the first athlete in the Pennsylvania’s school’s history to clear 7-feet in the event — indoors or outdoors. (Submitted photo)[/caption]

William Berry’s jumping career is reaching new heights at East Stroudsburg University.

The Caesar Rodney High grad recently cleared 7-feet, 1/2-inch in the indoor high jump to become the first athlete in the Pennsylvania’s school’s history to clear 7-feet in the event — indoors or outdoors.

The height was also the best in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference — indoors or outdoors — since 2014.

“We are really excited about how William is jumping this season, which is a reflection of the work he has put in,” said East Stroudsburg coach Joe Koch. “He has always been a hard worker since he got to ESU. He has been willing to do a lot, including running on our PSAC championship 4x400m relay during the indoor season his freshman year.”

A senior, Berry was a second-team Division II All-American last May after placing 10th in the NCAAs outdoors. He’s qualified for nationals three times in the high jump.

The Magnolia native shares East Stroudsburg’s outdoor record of 6-10, 3/4. His seven-foot leap is the second-best in Division II this winter and makes Berry a provisional qualifier for the NCAAs.

“He has really taken to the high jump under our outstanding coach, Karen Gaita, and has enjoyed some outstanding performances,” said Koch. “We have been thrilled with his PSAC championship results and his All-America effort outdoors last year. He continues to improve in all facets of high jumping. He is an excellent student and team leader as well.”

Staying home

In recent years, there’s been a number of Delaware high school football standouts who many people thought were too good to stay in-state.

Players like Jamie Jarmon (Indian River), Ray Jones (Hodgson), Troy Reeder (Salesianum) and his brother, Colby, would have have made that list.

But, one way or another, all four players are now on the roster at the University of Delaware.

Blue Hen coach Dave Brock doesn’t know if that’s the level of recruit he can land every year. On the other hand, the fourth-year head coach said he’s not going to shy away from a big-time recruit if he sees the right opportunity.

“In a lot of ways, we’re going to create our own perception,” said Brock, who handles in-state recruiting personally.

“I think we’ve recruited very, very competitively. We’ve gone after the right players and we’ve had great success in being able to bring those guys here. And that won’t change. But I don’t think, realistically, you’re going to bat a great average if you recruit against a ton of high-level schools. We’re certainly going to recruit the best players in the state of Delaware next year — we’ve already started.”

DSU Hall accepting nominations

Delaware State University is seeking nominations for its 2016 Athletics Hall-of-Fame class. Former DSU student-athletes who graduated or completed their eligibility prior to 2011 after completing at least two (2) years of participation in one or more sports are eligible for consideration. Hall of Fame nominations are also being accepted for former Delaware State University coaches and administrators, as well as supporters of the university’s athletics program.

The 2016 DSU Athletics Hall-of-Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony is set for Sep. 9 in Dover. The new hall-of-fame members will also be recognied at halftime of the Hornets’ football home opener against Monmouth the following day.

Nominations for the 2016 hall-of-fame class will be accepted until March 31. For more information, call the DSU Athletics Department at (302) 857-6030.

Notes

• Former Woodbridge High football standout Dajon Emory signed with Division I FBS Arkansas State on Wednesday.

Now a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end, Emory spent the last two seasons at Lackawanna (Pa.) Junior College. Last fall, he had 23 tackles, with 5.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses totaling 67 yards. Emory was also recruited by Georgia Southern, Southern Miss and Idaho.

• The Delaware men’s basketball team will try to avoid putting its name in the school record books for the wrong reason today when it plays a 2:30 p.m. contest at William & Mary (NBC Sports Network).

The Hens are out to avoid a 15th-straight loss, which would be the longest in school history. They just fell to the Tribe by 15 points at home last week.

“What I just watched was a complete embarrassment, and is very troubling,” coach Monté Ross said after Delaware fell to Elon by 27 on Thursday night. “Elon played very well and imposed their will on us, and we weren’t tough enough to withstand it.”

• Two former Smyrna High basketball standouts are playing with Jefferson (N.Y.). Javon Hunter is the team’s leading scorer with 18.3 points per game while Latrelle Lee is averaging 8.4.

• Jon Warren, a product of Cape Henlopen High, is averaging 9.3 points per game in his sophomore season at Harford Community College. Warren has appeared in 23 games, with 12 starts, for the Fighting Owls who are 16-8 entering Friday.

• Raven Bankston is leading the Towson women’s basketball team in scoring with 16.4 points per game since transferring from Delaware State. Her twin sister, Raine Bankston, also transferred with her to Towson last year and is averaging 3.6 points per game for the Tigers.

• The Delaware men’s lacrosse team begins its season today with a 2:30 p.m. contest at Bucknell.