High Schoolers across the nation wasted no time this indoor season. We've already seen marks that rank amongst the best all-time

While there were plenty of good performances to go around, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the five performances that turned our heads in December. These high schoolers are poised for unbelievable 2024-25 campaigns.

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1. Ryan Buskey High Jumps 7-2 on December 7th

Ryan Buskey made a statement jump on December 7th. At the TCITL LM 1A meet in Schenectady, NY, Buskey cleared a ridiculous 7-2 high jump bar.

He opened at 6-2, clearing through 6-10 on his first attempts. His missed once at 7-1 and then cleared 7-2 after successive misses at the height.

Buskey has now cleared 7-foot three times this season. In just his junior year, he is one of the best high school high jumpers in the nation.

2. Sophomore Paige Sheppard Runs An Unreal 4:44.77 1600m In Opener

If there was ever any doubting whether or not Paige Sheppard is the real deal, put that to bed. The high school sophomore opened her indoor season with a 4:44.77 1600m.

In the run, she smashed the New Jersey State Record, which previously stood at 4:48.13.

Sheppard won the NJSIAA XC Meet of Champions title in November before placing 30th at Nike Cross Nationals in early December.

Her opener came just a week after NXN, on December 14th. Her time is among the fastest 1,600m times in high school history.

3. Keayari Thompson Runs a 46.99 400m

When a quarter-miler not named Quincy Wilson runs a fast time, it grabs your attention.

Westlake’s Keayari Thompson started the season off with a bang. He ran a 46.99 400m, and successfully dipped below the coveted 47-second mark for the first time on an indoor oval.

Though, Thompson’s run shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. On the outdoor circuit, he ran 46.15 over 400m at the USATF Junior Olympic Championships.

He currently holds the national high school No. 1 and he is well positioned to continue his strong start to the 2025 season. Watch for him to potentially jump up to the 800m in an attempt to break 1:50, this winter.

4. Joshua-Kai Smith Runs US No. 10 All-Time 55mH

At the Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival, Joshua-Kai Smith ran the tenth fastest 55mH in high school history. His 7.08 is just behind Grant Holloway's high school best of 7.05.

It is also the fastest time in high school history in the month of December.

He currently leads the nation by a very wide-margin. He also set an Ocean Breeze facility record and a meet record for the event.

5. Jessica Oji Throws 51-8 In Season Opener

In her season opener, Jessica Oji threw 51-5 in her season opener. The mark, an indoor personal best, currently leads the nation in the Shot Put. 

It is also, the 20th best throw in High School History.

The New Jersey Native won the New Balance Nationals Outdoor title last year, so her hot start to the season was expected.

Notably, she opened the 2023-24 campaign with a huck of 38-7.5, and never threw further than 44-9.25 during the indoor season. She is yards ahead of that in 2024-25, and the sky is truly the limit for the Livingston senior.

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