Editor’s Note: Gary Van Cleave is a 1980 Eureka High School graduate and was a sports writer for nearly 10 years. He began a series of articles in the past seven months called Van Cleave’s Vibes: Chronicling Kansas’ Greats. This series now totals over 100 articles that recognize achievements made by athletes all across Kansas. It is patterned after KAKE-TV’s Hatteberg’s People by the great Larry Hatteberg. Van Cleave does these articles for free because of his love for writing. Today he shares the accomplishments made by West Elk Patriot grad Devin Loudermilk.
He cleared the 5-feet mark in the high jump in 8th Grade. He planted a seed that would later sprout into a world class athlete.
“I started high jumping in 8th Grade, but thought I was going to hurdle in college,” West Elk High graduate Devin Loudermilk said. “Once I got to high school I started doing better in high jump and kind of knew it was what I wanted to continue to do.” Now, Loudermilk doesn’t have friends in low places like Garth Brooks. Instead the lanky University of Kansas high jumper only has friends in high (jumping) places.
“Devin kind of came out of nowhere it felt like,” University of Nebraska All-American jumper and Sterling High grad Tyus Wilson said. “Our sophomore year he popped off indoors and never looked back.”
“My first height I cleared was around 5 feet after my summer coach introduced it to me,” Devin said. “I thought I was a left footed jumper since I am right handed, but once I made the switch I could jump around 6-foot to 6-foot-2 in 8th grade.”
In comparison, Wilson cleared 6-foot-4 in 8th Grade. Two other great high jumpers from Kansas - Michael Hoffer from Nebraska and Vance Shewey of Tabor - sailed 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-6, respectively in 8th Grade.
That’s when the Dominant Devin, the Loudermilk Leapster, took over flying over high jump bars.
“He went from someone I knew I could beat on a given day to a guy that I had my eyes on to beat,” said Wilson, who faced Devin frequently in high school.
Loudermilk elevated his game each year of high school. His freshman year he jumped 6-foot-4. He followed with a sophomore best 6-foot-6. College coaches started showing interest in Loudermilk his junior year when he cleared 6-foot-8. He capped his senior year at 6-foot-10.
But one thing alluded Loudermilk in high school.
“I never got to win a state championship,” he said. “I got second my senior year behind Wilson.”
However, Loudermilk had gained the respect of three Kansas jumpers who have had stellar college careers. Wilson, Michael Hoffer, a second team All-American at Nebraska from Shawnee Heights High and Vance Shewey, a three-time All-American at Tabor College and a Meade High graduate.
“Since my freshman year of high school, I knew Devin would be a great jumper,” Vance said. “His leap he took from freshman to sophomore year of high school was crazy to see. And to see him at the D1 level competing at the level he is, is special to see and I have nothing but respect for him.”
Loudermilk’s college choice was a no-brainer to him.
“I have been a KU fan my whole life as well as my family so I was always leaning towards KU,” Devin said. “But after talking with Coach Hays I knew it’s where I wanted to be.”
He hasn’t disappointed anyone while in Lawrence, either.
“I love KU and our vert (vertical) squad we have here,” the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Loudermilk said. “My personal best is 7-foot-3 which I have jumped three times at the Nebraska meet, Arkansas meet and then indoor nationals when I placed third.”
“He popped off an indoors best at Nebraska last year and I was shocked,” Wilson said.
His biggest inspiration can be found in Pittsburgh these days.
“I would say my biggest inspiration is my brother Isaiahh,” Loudermilk said of the Pittsburgh Steeler offensive lineman. “He has pushed me to be a better athlete. I would give credit to my teammates here at KU for always making practice a good environment to grow and learn.”
There wasn’t a shadow growing up with an older brother who starred at Wisconsin.
“It wasn’t bad since I didn’t ever really play football,” Loudermilk noted. “We are two separate athletes with completely different jobs and body builds so I knew what people said didn’t really matter.”
The night Isaiahh was drafted was an exciting time for the Loudermilk family. But something else was important as well.
“I mean it was exciting, but I think the first thing we did was go eat with the family,” Loudermilk said matter-of-factly.
“Devin is an incredible athlete,” Michael said. “Watching him grow into the jumper he is today has been so awesome to see. He is springy and does a great job carrying his speed into his take-off. I’m so excited to see what bars he clears as he continues his journey.”
“He’s patient,” Wilson said. “When he takes off the ground, he just floats before finishing his technique over the bar. His approach is also so smooth. He makes it look effortless.”
“Tyus and I have competed at a couple of pretty big meets during college and it’s always a good time to go out and jump with someone from your state,” Devin said. “I haven’t jumped with Vance during my college career but hoping that can change during the Kansas Relays this year.”
Loudermilk said he has to have fun in order to succeed in college.
“I would describe myself as being hard working, and energetic,” he said. “As an athlete I have to have fun to succeed so I try to bring as much energy as I can to practice and meets.”
“He’s definitely one of those guys you’re rooting for whether you’re watching as a fan or competing against as a competitor,” Tyus said. “He’s so fun to watch and an even better friend to have.”
Competing at the Big XII level has taught him one thing.
“It has taught me that no matter what level you’re competing at, it’s always going to be you against yourself,” he said.
How does he want to be remembered?
“I want to be remembered,” Loudermilk said, “as one of KU’s greatest high jumpers.”
