The 6-foot-1, 138-pound senior won the high jump national championship at this month's New Balance Nationals Outdoor with a clearance of 7 feet, 1/4 inches. Claxton also won the event at the state championship meet this spring with a clearance of 7-0. His season-best effort of 7-1.75 ranked as the nation's No. 7 performance among prep competitors in 2017 at the time of his selection.
Claxton has maintained a 3.56 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at the University of Connecticut this fall.
Also a talented musician, he has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics and youth sports programs. "Dan is one of the most talented athletes that any coach could be lucky enough to have on their team," said Smithtown East coach Megan Holden. "He's also one of the most knowledgeable, coachable, approachable and humble athletes you will ever meet."
