Nobles broke the school record with a jump of 20-11” at the Warrior Track and Field Classic at Mohanasen High School in Niskayuna this past Saturday. The old-school record of 20-7.5″ was initially set in by Eric Wilson in 1985 and later tied by Joel Robertson in 1989.

“This was a great achievement by Liam in just his first major outdoor meet of the year,” Red Storm boys track coach Cy Ellsworth said in a statement. “I have been fortunate to have been around some tremendous athletes at the college level and I have coached thousands of athletes at SLHS and Liam is in the top five — athletically — of any athlete I have ever coached. That should say a lot about his ability.”

Ellsworth said that with Nobles being so young, he’ll have more opportunities to compete at high-end meets.

“The big thing right now is that he continues to be the hardest worker on our team. I’ve always felt that if you are not the hardest worker you miss opportunities,” Ellsworth said. “A fear of mine for younger athletes that find success early is that they stop working. That is when frustration sets in and athletes never get better.

“I believe that if Liam continues to work, he will achieve all of his goals,” he said. “Some of my athletes could work with the top track coaches in the world and never get to Liam’s level. He’s got some gifts and I’m just thankful that we have him for another two years in our program.”

During Saturday’s Warrior Track and Field Classic, Nobles finished second overall behind Albany Academy’s Bashir Praileau, a senior, who jumped 21-11. Nobles also finished second in the triple jump with a jump of 42-1.5″. Fonda-Fultonville’s Brady Melious, a junior, won the event with a jump of 42-3.0.

With the outdoor track and field season having just started a month ago and with limited time Nobles numbers are expected to increase as the season progresses.

“Our athletes are at a huge disadvantage from a weather and facilities standpoint in the North Country so balancing explosiveness in the weight room, plyometrics and flexibility in the fitness center and technique on the track will give Liam the edge he needs to be competitive with athletes around the state,” Ellsworth said.