Tristan Schultheis: Jumping High and Looking Ahead

by Ka'Deem Wynn

Astronaut High School’s Tristan Schultheis (TRACK PROFILE) is truly a one of a kind. The Astronaut senior cleared a height of 7’2” in the high jump at the Astronaut Invite on Friday, March 18th, propelling him to the top with a state and nation-leading jump (DyeStat TFX #1). The jump is also Florida all-time #2. To put that into perspective, Tristan can jump over retired NBA player and Inside the NBA analyst, Shaquille O’Neal, who is 7’1.”

RELATED - SEE TRISTAN’S US #1 JUMP OF 7’2”

Tristan easily cleared 6’10”, and proceeded to the next level, clearing 7’0”, and eventually 7’2.” In a recent interview, Tristan expressed that upon clearing the height, he felt ecstatic.

“My goal coming into this year was seven foot, so when I did that and made 7’2” I was so excited.”

And with good reason. However, being able to jump over Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t enough, as Tristan attempted to clear 7’4,”. He said that on the second and third attempts, he was over the bar, but he didn’t kick his legs back, which would have resulted in him clearing the height. Despite this, he’s confident that he can clear the height, everything just has to come into play.

Tristan was slightly disappointed, only because he, as well as others, knows that he could have done better. However, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be long before he gets what he wants.

“Right now I’m number two all-time for Florida and my goal by the end of the year is to be number one, so that’s going to fuel me to train harder than ever to break the record.”

The record in question is held by New Smyrna Beach alumni, Sam Hill, who graduated in 1992 clearing 7’2.75”. Tristan in currently tied with five others at 7' 2" according to our best estimates of know heights. 

Tristan certainly has something going for him, and it appears that the high jump is his golden ticket. However, that’s not the only thing he can do, as Tristan can be seen pole vaulting, long jumping, and flying over hurdles.

Tristan says that along with high jump, he’s always enjoyed running the 110m hurdles, as it’s an easy way to stay active and move around, rather than sitting around waiting for his next event.

“I’ve gotten significantly better since my first year doing them last year,” he said. “I really don’t care for the 300m hurdles but my coach wanted me to try it, so he puts me in it every week.”

Despite his reluctance, Tristan has been able to push out a 39.99 performance in the event, as well as run 14.74, which he ran winning the Astronaut Invite. He’s only attempted the long jump once in competition going 20’8.25.

He says that it was fun, though he couldn’t get his steps down. However, he said that if he could, he felt that he could jump further, but sometimes it’s best to stick to one jumping event.

Since his sophomore year, he’s been pole vaulting, and cleared a height of 12’6 in the pole vault qualifying for last year’s state meet in the event. Clearly he has enough to do, but he says that he’d like to be able to focus on just the hurdles and high jump, which he’s bound to qualify in.

“To go to states again for that (pole vault) would be great, but my time in the 110m hurdles has come down a half second since the end of last year so I’d like to qualify in that event too.”

Tristan Schultheis is a man of many colors, and he’s definitely going places. Whether he’ll jump higher, and run faster, only time will tell. One thing is certain; he’s definitely going to be on a lot of people’s radars from now on.