By Charlene Chew

He thoughtfully rocks back on both heels with a focused expression, begins taking even and rhythmic strides, accumulating speed and power as he approaches the bar set at six feet eight inches.

Junior Noel Frazier bounds toward the high jump mats and springs himself into the air, flawlessly arching his back as he sails smoothly over the bar and falls into the mats as his team erupts in a congratulatory applause.

A Cal High basketball and track and field star, Noel continues to set the bar high and is ranked second in the state for the men’s high jump.

The junior made high school news affiliate ESPN RISE’s 2011 California Track and Field state preview All-State First Team for men’s high jump.  The First Team consists of the top nine high school athletes in each event statewide.

Noel has already set a new personal record by jumping a height of six feet, eight inches at the East Bay Invitational on March 5, winning the high jump at the first invitational of the season.

“I enjoy (high jumping) because it’s a fun experience in high school,” said Noel.  “I like that it’s individual and you can be as good as you want to be.”

His East Bay Invitational jump beat his 2010 personal record of six feet, seven inches, which placed him fifth at the 2010 CIF Track and Field State Meet finals and second at the Junior Olympics last June and July, respectively.

Noel is a quiet but aggressive athlete, with several impressive accomplishments early in his high school athletic career.

“I think Noel’s biggest achievement has been improvement,” said coach James Frazier, Noel’s high jump coach and father. “Every year he’s greatly improved in all his sports.”

During his freshman year, Noel had a personal record of six feet, two inches.  Since then he has increased his jump height six inches, won several meets and become a top points-scorer for Cal’s track and field team.

Head coach Mark Karbo said Noel is capable of competing in the high jump at the college level.

Noel believes it is his hard work and respect for his teammates and other jumpers that has earned him this level of success and the advantage over his tough competition.

He also considers his dad doubling as his coach to be an advantage since his father was an accomplished world-class high jumper himself.

“It’s truly a blessing to get to guide him in some of the ways I may have fell,” said Coach Frazier.  “It’s not many fathers who get the opportunity to do that, especially in the same sport.”

Coach Frazier said Noel comes from a legacy of high-level athletes and his ability is partially hereditary.

“But I think Noel has a mental toughness that helps his ability. His attitude is truly ‘can do’,” Coach Frazier said.  “He’s a competitor.”

Noel’s strong outlook in competition is very helpful in a sport that requires focus and precision.

“Going into it you just have to have the mind set that you are the best and you’ll perform at your best,” said Noel.

It is this humble, yet confident attitude that has gotten Noel very far and also landed him a role as the jumps team captain.

Noel leads by example and it is exciting for his teammates to watch him perform, said coach Karbo.

“As a captain you try to inspire everyone to be better and get everyone to reach their goals,” said Noel.

Noel’s knowledge of his craft allows him to help his teammates with training and technique, and inspire them with his success and good sportsmanship.

“He’s the best but he’s not cocky about it,” said junior high jumper Jake Martin. “He just shows it through his jumping.”

Noel’s jumps have spoken for themselves a lot the past three years, making him a threat to high jumpers all over California and the U.S.

But Noel is not basking in his early successes.  He still has bigger goals and a higher bar in mind.

“I’m hoping to jump seven feet this year,” said Noel, who wants to win the high jump at the state meet this June.

Coach Frazier sees these as likely goals this season.

“I’d like to see Noel win state this year, and I think he has the potential and ability to do so,” said Coach Frazier. “He’s set personal goals for himself that I see no reason why he can’t attain.”

Noel’s continued improvement and his road to return to the state meet requires much hard work and dedication.

“He’s an athlete that has passion and wants to win, and he’s willing to put in the work behind that,” said Coach Frazier.

Junior Dani Vanderlip is  a new high jumper who has learned from Noel this year.

“It’s just inspiring how he works so hard and does so good,” said Dani.  “It makes me want to work harder and be better.”

Noel’s daily practices of regiment inclinations, weight training, plyometric speed work, and technical training help prepare him to be physically capable of reaching the next level of competition.

“Practice makes perfect,” said Noel.  “Repetitions help because it makes (good technique) habit.”

High jump technique is very intricate and difficult to master.  Without good technique a successful jump is very unlikely.

Having to execute correct form often gets Noel nervous before a jump.

“The fact that the bar is so high, it can be scary sometimes,” said Noel.  “I try not to think about it a lot and take some time before the meet to just focus.”

But it seems that mastering the ways of jumping hasn’t been too difficult for him, as one watches Noel swiftly perform a jump six inches taller than his 6-foot-2 frame with ease.

Noel would be a great runner or long jumper but he chose the high jump, said Coach Frazier.

Both Noel and his father naturally fell into the high jump as their preferred event. They spend a lot of extra time together through track, allowing his father to be present for all Noel’s athletic accomplishments.

“I’m very proud as a father, and it gives me an opportunity to relive some of the athletic experiences I had,” said Coach Frazier.

Noel seems to be following in his father’s accomplished footsteps, although he didn’t receive pressure from his dad to focus on the high jump.

“He has an affinity and love for high jump and that’s worked out to the advantage,” said Coach Frazier.

It is this enjoyment of the sport that continues to carry Noel to higher marks and keep raising the bar. His season has been very successful early on and holds more to come as his training continues to progress with the season.

Noel’s plan to win state is in action.  He will soon be competing in high competition invitationals next month that will help prepare him for the competitors he will face at EBAL finals, Tri-Valley Regionals, NCS, and state.