The coach paused. The athlete didn’t.

“Seven-one is always a goal,” University high jumper Craig Allen said.

“I probably won’t be satisfied until I get it.”

By Allen’s account, that 7-foot-1 jump could come any day. He’s probably right, considering he bounded over 6-11 at Pasco on Saturday and had a pretty good go at 7-1.

“He’s on schedule; he’s been consistent right around 6-8,” Titans coach Kevin Franzen said. “He’s gone from 6-2 as a freshman to 6-7 as a sophomore to 6-10 last year and we’re hoping for about. …” That’s where Franzen had a long pause and a big smile before continuing. “If he keeps the same progression, he’s a 7-foot-plus jumper.”

Allen hasn’t been pushed all year, which has left him competing with himself and the goal of becoming just the third Greater Spokane League and fourth Spokane 7-foot high jumper.

He wants the school record of 7-1/4 set by his current assistant coach, Jeff Barrett.

“The key is his training,” Franzen said. “He’s a dedicated weightlifter now. He’s probably twice as strong.

“He’s got great form, he’s flexible, his timing is great over the bar and he has a great sense of when to kick. Plus, he’s smart. He’s a 3.8 student and he’s become a student of the high jump.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo