¶2019 mUSATF LJ: Ja'Mari Ward 26-7¾ (8.12)

[booond]

I don't think the Ecches and Manys are too worried.

Funny thing is Henderson has the longest jump of the year. Possibly saddest thing, too.

[gh]

That was a non-Olympic and Worlds year so not a trial.

good point!

[The Klingon]

While this competition would be of an impressive quality for the national championships of any other country, I can't remember a men's LJ in a US trials of a lower level.

Do you guys remember awhile back when Carl Lewis addressed this very subject and a lot of people got upset with him??

[highjumpfan]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but Marquis Goodwin, has career earnings just from playing football, of around $25 million plus another million for being the fastest at 40 yards. Put together the combine earnings of all the long jumpers in the world and maybe you get to about 20% of that, and he's not even a top 60 wide receiver.

Point being, If I'm a 16 year old fast, athletic, american male, and I can choose between football and long jump or any event in T&F, it's a no brainer. The fact that America has the level of talent it does in the sprints and jumps is amazing at this point, considering the alternatives.

[Juicy News]

Speaking of Goodwin, I believe he mentioned that he will be trying to make the US team for Tokyo.

[scottmitchell74]

Yeah, I was very disappointed as well. I can know all the reasons (all of our 28+ guys play other sports, probably) but it was still underwhelming.

[bobguild76]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but Marquis Goodwin, has career earnings just from playing football, of around $25 million plus another million for being the fastest at 40 yards. Put together the combine earnings of all the long jumpers in the world and maybe you get to about 20% of that, and he's not even a top 60 wide receiver.

Point being, If I'm a 16 year old fast, athletic, american male, and I can choose between football and long jump or any event in T&F, it's a no brainer. The fact that America has the level of talent it does in the sprints and jumps is amazing at this point, considering the alternatives.

Well said and true ... unfortunately for T&F.

[Trickstat]

I don't think long jumping is very lucrative. Of Britain's 3 track and field champs from London 2012, it was noticeable that Greg Rutherford was the one most likely to appear on some random TV show every now and again to make some extra cash. Jess Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah had bigger sponsorship deals and, in the latter's case, bigger prize money.

[gh]

.....
Point being, If I'm a 16 year old fast, athletic, american male, and I can choose between football and long jump or any event in T&F, it's a no brainer. ....

not to be cruel, but football and "no brainer" in this day and age does give one pause—or it should—no matter what the bucks.

[Conor Dary]

Depends on options....white kids from wealthy high schools still play football...that's changing but I don't see a wholesale abandonment to track soon.