THINGS HAVE BEEN LEAN for long jumpers worldwide of late and it really showed in Eugene. Only 10 leapers globally have met the WC standard of 26-11¾ (8.22) as of this writing, and none were on the podium at USATF.
LSU’s Rayvon Grey came agonizingly close with a PR 26-10½ (8.19), achieved on his third attempt. It was the only time of the day that he would exceed 26ft.
That doesn’t mean the competition was devoid of excitement — there were lead changes and a constant churn in the medal placings.
Florida State’s Jeremiah Davis led after the first round with a PR of his own, 26-5 (8.11) and added to that lead in the second with another lifetime best of 26-7¼ (8.11), which would stand as his best of the day.
Things really heated up in the third stanza with four jumpers joining Davis at or over 8m (26-3). Will Williams and James Carter hit the mark exactly, A’Nan Bridgett reached 26-4¼ (8.03), and Grey hit the leading mark that he would never relinquish.
In the fourth sequence Steffin McCarter jumped into the third position 26-6¼ (8.08) with Williams hot on his heels at 26-5¾ (8.07).
One jump later, McCarter traded his bronze for a silver, sneaking past Davis with a 26-9 (8.15).
So who’s on Team USA? That’s clear as mud. Reigning world champ Jeff Henderson could have a Wild Card, of course, but he skipped USATF, reportedly due to injury.
To find American jumpers who have met the standard and participated in Eugene, you have to reach all the way down to athletes who didn’t even get to the final 3 jumps: Marquis Dendy (10th) & Matthew Boling (12th).
But the WA rankings also come into play, where McCarter was No. 6 on the list coming into the weekend and Grey just No. 50. How high will he climb with this win?
MEN’S LONG JUMP RESULTS
(June 24)
1. Rayvon Grey (LSU) 26-10½ (8.19) PR
(25-6¼, 25-5¼, 26-10½, 24-6½, 24-9¼, f) (7.78, 7.75, 8.19, 7.48, 7.55, f);
2. Steffin McCarter (Nik) 26-9 (8.15)
(25-10¼, 25-9¼, 25-7½w, 26-6¼, 26-9, 25-9¼) (7.88, 7.85, 7.81w, 8.08, 8.15, 7.85);
3. Jeremiah Davis (FlSt) 26-7¼ (8.11) PR
(26-5 PR, 26-7¼ PR, f, f, 26-4½, 26-¼) (8.05, 8.11, f, f, 8.04, 7.93);
4. Will Williams (unat) 26-5¾ (8.07)
(26-¾, 25-11, 26-3, 26-5¾, f, 25-4¾) (7.94, 7.90, 8.00, 8.07, f, 7.74);
5. A’Nan Bridgett (Rut) 26-4¼w (8.03)
(23-9, f, 26-4¼w, 25-10¼, f, f) (7.24, f, 8.03w, 7.88, f, f);
6. Isaac Grimes (FlSt) 26-3w (8.00) (26-¾/7.94); 7. James Carter (Ia) 26-3 (8.00) PR; 8. Damarcus Simpson (unat) 26-2¼ (7.98); 9. Kemonie Briggs (LSqTC) 25-10¼w (7.88) (24-9/7.54); 10. Marquis Dendy (unat) 25-10 (7.87); 11. JuVaughn Harrison (Puma) 25-9½w (7.86) (25-4¾/7.74); 12. Matthew Boling (Ga) 25-6¼ (7.78); 13. John Baker (Ar) 25-3¼w (7.70) (24-¾/7.33); 14. Brandon Hicklin (NCAT) 25-2½ (7.68); 15. Sincere Robinson (Rut) 24-8½ (7.53); 16. Rayvon Allen (Ok) 24-7¾ (7.51); 17. Treyshon Malone (IdSt) 24-3½ (7.40); 18. Jacore Irving (FlSt) 24-¾w (7.33);… 3f—Jeremiah Willis (Louis).
