Geron White spends a lot of his time with his head in the clouds. The returning high jump state champion from Federal Way High School is not one who lacks confidence.

In 2024, White jumped 6’6” to take home the first-place medal in the 4A high jump. As a junior, he was the only Federal Way boy to finish on top of the podium (Cassandra Atkins won two events). Winning was a special feeling for White.

“That was one of the best feelings I have ever felt. Winning a state title is something that not a lot of people can say they have done. Saying I’ve done it once, let alone I’m going to do it again this year, is something amazing,” White said.

White is in the midst of his senior season, and the three-sport athlete is entering rarefied air.

“This season is going to be very special. There are so many aspects to everything, it’s just business. It is just a bunch of work, you see it and get it done. You have a goal at the end of the day. We are trying to reach that goal,” White said.

The goal of course, is breaking the Washington state high jump record.

He began his high school career at Kennedy Catholic before transferring to Federal Way prior to his junior year. Since then, he’s played football and basketball in the fall — and is jumping to new heights in the spring.

As the reigning champion, White’s eyes are not only on defending his title, but setting the bar a bit higher than ever before with a statewide record.

“It’s either beat the state record and win, or nothing. It’s either win or go home for me,” White said.

In his sophomore season, White was still competing in the red and blue of Kennedy Catholic. At the state championships in 2023, White jumped 6’06” — which was four inches more than the third place finisher. But Federal Way’s Jaylon Jenkins took home the crown with a 6’08” jump.

After he departed Kennedy, White joined an elite jump room. Federal Way’s boys jumpers have always competed at the highest level in the state, singlehandedly helping the Eagles take home a state crown back in that 2023 season. To be a part of a special group is an opportunity White never takes for granted.

“The winning mindset takes over. I set myself to a higher standard than other people do and when I came here they held me to that same standard… At the end of the day, our coaches will get you to where you need to be. Jumping 23s and 24s in long jump or seven foot and higher in high jump, and that’s just on the jumping side. I could say a lot about the running side too,” said White.

The 3A high jump state record is 7-02.50 set by Jakobe Ford back in 2017. That mark is the highest mark in the state regardless of classification. According to Athletic.net, White’s best jump this season was 6’9” at the Arcadia Invitational down in Arcadia, Calif. But White’s personal record came in last year’s West Central District Meet where he cleared 6’10”.

Following his state title, White knew that his goal the next season was to break the state record.

“Right after you win, you have to have the mindset that I won and I have to do it again and again. It keeps you strong mentally and physically and get through it all,” White said.

The preparation for White starts the day before. Keeping the body prepared and fresh gets White ready for competing the next day. As a three-sport athlete, he understands the value of preparation, but also not taxing his body.

“That’s what makes me such a high-class athlete. I take those rest days. I have all this other stuff to do, but I still hold myself to a higher standard of an Olympic athlete,” White said.

Being a high jumper is an incredibly mentally taxing event. The disappointment of a single touch on the bar can make or break an attempt. For White, he relies on his support system to get him through the frustrating aspects of a very difficult event.

“It’s all the support around me. I feed off the people’s energy around me. Let’s say I have a bad jump, my dad will come up to me and say, ‘You got the next one, this is something normal to you. You’re used to that air up there.’ Hearing that from my dad, coaches and teammates is something that really gets me going and helps me to push to get to those higher heights,” White said.

White’s dad, Geno, is on the Federal Way High School coaching staff and is a second set of eyes for Geron. At practice, Geno works with the hurdlers for Federal Way, and come meet day, he always finds time to come watch his youngest son jump.

“My dad is not just a coach to me, even if he is my dad, he’s more than that. He’s the person I come to for everything, especially during track. Before I do any of my run-ups, I throw him a thumbs up so we are both ready,” White said.

This season White is planning to put himself all over the track and field meets. He’s planning on competing in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, and possibly hurdles or a throw. Despite the state champion moniker, White wants to show that he’s more than just a high jumper.

“I want to show people that I’m not a one trick pony. To show people that all these athletes are so versatile. I want to be a piece to the puzzle to show other kids that they can do so many other things and have other purposes,” White said.