Muhls’ Kyle Archie flawless in soaring to golden finish on state’s biggest stage

By Julie Pelchar Cohen — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

SHIPPENSBURG – Kyle Archie already knows how he will accessorize his cap and gown for Muhlenberg’s upcoming commencement ceremony.

He’ll decorate his blue and yellow wear with three gold medals.

The hardware won’t be tucked inside his gown, either.

“This isn’t coming off for the next seven days,” Archie said. “I’m going to be showing all three for graduation.”

Archie stood tall and proud during Saturday afternoon’s PIAA Track and Field Championships. The Muhlenberg senior punctuated a nearly perfect season by capturing a gold medal in the Class 3A high jump.

Archie also completed the unlikeliest of seasons.

Never a high jumper before this year, Archie added a staggering eight inches from his first meet of the spring to perform on Pennsylvania’s biggest stage and earn the state’s top prize.

The moment wasn’t lost on Archie, who might be as thoughtful and kind as he is athletic.

“I feel really humble right now,” Archie said. “I don’t think it fully hit me. I haven’t jumped up and down yet, but hopefully I will later.”

He saved his hops for when it counted.

Archie was nearly flawless in the best competition he’s faced all year. He cleared six heights on his climb toward his winning jump of 6 feet, 8 inches. 

Harrisburg’s Ty-Shawn Ewings, the District 3 runner-up to Archie, and North Penn’s Trip Campbell reached 6-7.  District 1 champ Maximus Stukes of Coatesville cleared 6-6.

After hitting all but one of his first six heights on his first attempt, Archie tied his personal best of 6-8 on his second try.

He soared over the bar, pumped his fists and excitedly popped off the pit as spectators lined up against the Seth Grove Stadium fence erupted in cheers.

After he had already clinched the win, Archie moved the bar to 6-10. He tried to match Tyrell Ellison’s school record. Ellison is the former Muhls superstar who won PIAA titles in the high jump and triple jump in 2009. 

Only two other Pennsylvania jumpers have flown higher than Archie this spring.

But he remained untouchable Saturday just as he has throughout the postseason.

Archie barely dabbled in high jumping as a freshman before putting his cleats aside to focus on basketball. He was a center for the Muhls and played AAU ball. He also played quarterback and wide receiver in football and was an all-league defensive back.

In his return to the track for his senior season, Archie was thrilled to clear 6-0 at the early season Oxenreider Meet.

On average, he added an inch a week since then. More exactly, he started May by hitting 6-6 at the Shaner Meet. He matched that mark to win the county-championship Firing Meet and cleared 6-8 for district gold last weekend.

“This is just incredible,” said Muhls jumping coach Greg Johnson. “This is basically his first year and to add eight inches in two months is just insane. I’m speechless again.”

While Archie didn’t better his PR from last weekend, Saturday’s performance might have been more impressive considering a state title was on the line.

“Absolutely, I was nervous,” said Archie, who entered as the No. 1 seed. “Even when I was jumping I was still getting butterflies.”

Archie’s quick pickup of a sport that’s quickly grabbed his heart has changed his life’s direction.

Archie never entertained the idea of high jumping in college.

Until now.

Archie has received calls from several PSAC schools. He’ll be a collegiate high jumper.

“That wasn’t the goal,” Archie said. “It just happened. It came naturally. It’s a pretty crazy story. It’s crazy that there’s stuff you can do that you didn’t know you were capable of.”