Lorson raises bar for Orrville with state high jump title

At the beginning of the high school track and field season, Orrville sophomore Mark Lorson had one primary goal in mind.

Lorson wanted to break the school high jump record of 6-foot-7. Making the mark even more coveted was that it was co-held by Andy Lorson (1999), Mark’s dad, and family friend Andy Vernon (1993).

“That was my goal, to break their record,” Mark Lorson said. “They literally set the bar high and gave me something to chase, so it means a lot.”

The pursuit of the Red Riders’ high jump record helped push Lorson to one of the best seasons in area history, culminating in winning the Division III state high jump gold medal after clearing a personal-best height of 6-9 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus June 6.

“It felt great,” Lorson said. “I had already broken and re-broken the school record coming into the state meet. The only goal going into the state meet was to set a new PR (personal record) because I knew if I did that, I would probably be taking home the title. I was just very proud and happy to represent my school, and I was very thankful that all my friends, family and coaches came to watch. It was just a lot of fun.”

Lorson first broke the school record at the Principals Athletic Conference Meet when he won the title with a jump of 6-7 1/2. At the district and regional meets, Lorson literally inched the mark a bit higher with winning jumps of 6-8.

At the state meet, Lorson breezed over the opening height of 6 feet. He then was perfect on attempts at 6-2, 6-7 and 6-8, with the latter clinching the title.

Lorson missed his first attempt at 6-9, but an announcement was then made over the PA that the meet would be suspended due to lightning spotted nearby. The high jump official gave Lorson the clear for one or two more attempts before everyone was cleared from the track. After a rushed second attempt, he made the most magical jump of his career and cleared 6-9 with dark clouds closing in. No attempt was made at 6-10 due to the delay.

“I had been jumping at 6-9 at districts and regionals, and I hadn't gotten it,” Lorson said. “Down in Columbus, it just felt kind of different. The energy was just a little bit different. I was jumping really well, and I wanted to clear it.

“There's an adrenaline piece, especially at 6-9 when the crowd started to clap. Yeah, I could definitely feel it.”

Lorson’s jump of 6-9 ties him with Triway’s Ryan Lent (1995) and Jaime Breneman (2006), along with Dalton’s Jake Dalessandro (2005), for third in Wayne County history. Wooster’s Lonnie Harper cleared 6-11 in 2019 to eclipse the 6-10 effort of Chippewa’s Clifford Sales (1997).

Lorson also finished ninth in the long jump with a PR leap of 21-10 3/4.

“It was just a really fun season, and the sportsmanship on my team and other teams was excellent,” Lorson said. “I’d like to congratulate my teammates and other area athletes who also competed down in Columbus.”

Andy Lorson helped his son every step of the way, err, make that jump, as the Riders’ high jump coach. Andy was on the 1998 Orrville Div. IV state football championship team — catching a state title game record 84-yard TD pass — and also on the Riders’ 1999 state title track team.

“It was very special having my dad coach me and break the record he shared with Andy Vernon,” Mark Lorson said. “My dad would mention his football and track teams every once in a while, and we were aware of it.

“It still doesn't quite feel like I'm his equal because he won a football title and then a track one, too. I still think he might outdo me for now.”

Mark Lorson made sure to thank Orrville track and field coach Tyrone Mosley for his guidance, especially the offseason Bigger, Faster, Stronger program that he implemented and supervised.

“Coach Mosley ran a great offseason program,” Mark Lorson said. “Credit to him and other football coaches. They really helped me and my teammates get stronger.”

“It was awesome,” Mosley said of Lorson’s gold medal. “Just like the old days. Mark increased his high jump PR of 6-3 at last year’s state meet to 6-9 this year. He also went to state in the long jump and improved his speed, running on our sprint relays. He and a number of other kids in the football and track programs dedicated themselves to the BFS program, which I’m a firm believer in. Mark did a lot of explosive lifts: power cleans, hang cleans, squats and more. He put on 20 pounds of muscle.”

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Lorson will soon turn his sights to football, where he’s expected to take over as the Orrville quarterback after seeing backup duties last year.

Lorson looks to be a good college prospect in football and track. Which sport would he pick?

“That will be a big question, but right now I just want to enjoy being part of both sports and work hard with my friends,” Lorson said.