PETER SHARPLESS
- May 1
- 2 min read
Updated: May 18
Princeton High School 1981 -- High Jumper
Some track and field success seems inevitable, but in the case of Princeton High’s Pete Sharpless, timing and some encouragement by his head coach were significant in changing the narrative and putting him on the path to greatness.
An AAU standout before high school, Sharpless quit the Princeton High team as a freshman because of a lack of interest. Sharpless gave the sport a second try after a conversation with Tigers head coach Marc Anderson a year later and that moment of reflection and reconsideration changed everything. What followed was one of the most amazing runs in Princeton High track history as Sharpless didn’t lose a dual meet in three years in the high jump, earning All-State recognition all three seasons.
A four-year varsity basketball starter for the Little Tigers, Sharpless often seemed impervious to pressure and only got stronger in the big meets.
The kicker came at the Meet of Champions when Sharpless became the first Mercer County high school competitor to win an individual event twice, taking the boys’ high jump in 1980 and 1981. Sharpless still owned the Princeton High school record as of his induction with a best of 6-10.25.
In college, Sharpless stayed sharp, earning Division III All-American recognition at Glassboro State in three consecutive seasons. Sharpless led Glassboro State to three national titles and was the college’s high-jump record holder.
These accomplishments led Sharpless to be voted to Princeton High’s Mount Rushmore of greatest athletes in an online vote on nj.com, a remarkable turn of events for a career that almost didn’t happen.
MAJOR TITLES
2x NJ Meet of Champions Winner - HJ (1980 & '81)
Group II State Champion - HJ (1981)
3x CJ Sectional Champion - HJ (1979, '80 & '81)
3x Mercer County Champion - HJ (1979,' '80, '81)
