Men: Triple Jump

Pictures and commentary by Doug Speck

Jason Ward, Coached by his dad in the outstanding Paducah, Tilghman HS program in Kentucky, had been held back most of the outdoor season with plantar fascitis problems. It was pleasing to see him to show up here in good shape. Ward trailed former Prep National Record Holder, Greg Yeldell (now of University of Indiana) 53-01.5 to 51-01.5 going into the final two jumps of the competiton (Ward, then Yeldell to finish the event). On his final effort Ward shocked with a 53-10.25 (wind +1.5) effort, the #2 in U.S. Prep History behind Yeldell's 53-10.5 set while medalling in the World Junior Championships in France last summer. Yeldell fouled on the meet's final jump. Ward's effort is also the best jump in the world by an athlete at the junior, under age-20, level in the world.

W World Jr.: 17.50m (57'05.00") Volker Mai (EG) 06/23/85 A American Jr.: 16.81m (55'02.00") Greg Neal (Tn) 06/05/82

PLACE ATHLETE NAME TEAM MARK ===== ========================== =================== ======== Flight 1 1 Jason Ward KY BLUE DIAMOND 16.41m 1.5 53'10.25 2 William Montgomery UNC CHARLOTTE 14.76m 1.6 48'05.25 3 Maurice Robinson MOBILE PARKS AND RE 14.39m 1.6 47'02.50 4 Rondell Mershon Unattached 14.39m 1.5 47'02.50 5 Jason Powell ROTAN 14.37m 2.7 47'01.75 6 Ryan Wilhelm COMANCHE HS 14.37m 1.0 47'01.75 7 Bobby Williams Unattached 14.18m 1.6 46'06.25 8 Tommy Oleksy NEDERLAND HS 14.12m 1.9 46'04.00 9 Richard Smith EAVNGEL ACADMEY 13.94m 3.1 45'09.00 10 Vance Tuck CARRO HS 13.28m 0.7 43'07.00 Flight 2 1 Greg Yeldell INDIANA UNIV 16.19m 1.7 53'01.50 2 Rob Jordan MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST 15.62m 2.8 51'03.00 3 Brandal Lawrence Unattached 15.10m 1.5 49'06.50 4 Benson Jones DIABLO VALLEY COLLE 14.87m 2.1 48'09.50 5 Warrick McDowell STANFORD 14.76m 1.1 48'05.25 6 Marc Johnson ST. LOUIS BLUES TC 14.73m 2.5 48'04.00 7 Charles Nurse DECATUR HS 14.67m 1.8 48'01.75 8 Daniel Harris HAZELWOOD WEST 14.50m 2.0 47'07.00 9 Brian Marcum UNIV. OREGON 13.95m 1.5 45'09.25 10 Damian Wand STEPHENVILLE HS 13.66m 1.1 44'09.75

1999 Junior Nationals

Men's Triple Jump