The natural talent has been there for a long time - so long, in fact, that Trevor Yedoni doesn't remember when it first became evident.
The Benilde-St. Margaret's senior is the state's top high jumper. He won the Class 2A state championship in the event last year with a leap of 6-10, just three inches shy of the MSHSL state record of 7-1.
That record has stood since 1973, when Rochester's Rod Raver cleared that height during the state meet.
Many have approached the mark -- Chaska's Jon Markuson even tied it in 1993 -- but no Minnesota high school jumper has ever bettered it.
Which is precisely what drives Yedoni, who signed with the University of Minnesota in February.
Q How important is setting a new state record to you?
A That's what I'm going after. My goal is to go 7-1¼. It doesn't matter where. I just want to hit it.
Q When did you first realize that you could jump higher than most of your peers?