Last year, the women’s CAA champion high jumper soared five feet, seven inches. This season, UNC-Wilmington features a quartet of high jumpers that leap over 5-8. “I can’t think of any other school that has four jumpers that jump 5-8 or higher,” said junior Kristin Frakes, who finished second at the conference meet last year. “It’s hard to come by. We’ll definitely take 30 points in the high jump in conference.” Frakes, joined by sophomore Becky Edwards (who finished fourth at the CAA meet last season), and a pair of freshmen – Anna Raynor and Debbie Martin – make up a foursome of soaring Seahawks. Add in another jumper, Dominique Barnes, and the Seahawks roll through meets. The high jumpers took five of the six top positions at the UNCW Seahawk Invitational on March 20, took the top three slots at the season-opening Shamrock invitational Track & Field meet on March 14 and three Seahawks placed in the top 15 in the Raleigh Relays’ crowded field. “We had a few girls my freshman year, but not like this,” Frakes said. “My previous coach, Kevin Ankrom, when he was here he used to be a high jump coach, so this year obviously concentrated on (recruiting) the high jump and he did very well, apparently.” Current coach Jim Sprecher and assistant coach Donald Thomas, utilized what they received, including a trio of freshmen. Raynor, one of the newcomers, set a school record jump of 5-10 at the UNCW Seahawk Invitational. Raynor, who also competes in the pentathlon, is getting adjusted to collegiate competition. “Practice is different,” Raynor said. “In high school I never practiced. I played softball. I would just compete in meets. Practice has helped me out, it’s made me more consistent.” A year ago, Debbie Martin competed against Raynor in state meets. Now they’re teammates. And with the other jumpers, have formed a talented group that’s close. “We’re pretty close,” Frakes said. “We just have met the three freshmen jumpers. We work off each other. We help each other a lot.”