National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

GIRLS’ TRIPLE JUMP

National Record: 44-11.75, Brittney Daniels, CA, 2004
Meet Record: 44-1.25, Erica McLain, TX, 2004

Top 6 Entrants
(based on 2014 outdoor PR)
1. Keturah Orji, 14, NJ, 44-1.25 (44-9.5w, 44-2i, 44-11 in ’13)
2. Tiffany Flynn, 14, GA, 41-11
3. Javonne Antoine, 14, MD, 40-10 (41-7.5w)
4. Darrielle McQueen, 14, FL, 40-8.25 (41-3.75i, 40-11 in ’13)
5. Marisa Kwiatkowski, 14, CA, 40-7.5 (41-2.75w)
6. Chinne Okoronkwo, 16, WA, 40-6.5 (41-6.5w)

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Keturah Orji, 14, NJ, 43-9.25
2. Simone Charley, 13, AL, 41-10.5
3. Jasmine Brown, 13, IL, 40-6
4. Anasterasia Terrell, 13, GA, 40-0.75
5. Iana Amsterdam, 13, NJ, 40-0.5
6. Keyasia Tibbs, 13, GA, 39-11.5

Analysis:  In any triple jump where she competes now in the states, it’s the NSAF Project Triple Jump's Keturah Orji – then everyone else.  That’s what happens when you’re almost three feet better than anyone else in the country.  Last weekend at Great Southwest, the Mt. Olive, NJ senior came within less than two inches of her PR (albeit wind-aided) from last year’s World Youth Champs, but consistency through her series was (as it has been) an issue.  Fans will recall, though, that it was this time last year when Orji started going from being very good to all-time great; this meet was her first 43-footer and she went 9.25 inches beyond the barrier.  The next six weeks – this meet, U.S. Juniors and (hopefully) World Juniors – will go far toward defining her season.

Battling it out for the other spots on the medal stand should be a quartet of jumpers with NSAF ties, plus outstanding jumpers from Georgia and California.  The Georgian – Tiffany Flynn (Miller Grove senior) – was 7th at NBNO last year (#2 returnee) and has the best legal jump of anyone else in the field at 41-11.  The Californian – Marisa Kwiatkowski (Wilcox, CA senior) – has 40-7.5/41-2.75w bests and was 5th at her state meet last weekend. 

There are three from the NSAF Project Triple Jump; Chinne Okoronkwo (Mountlake Terrace, WA soph), Darrielle McQueen (North Florida Christian, FL senior) and Felicienne Axel (Columbus, TX junior) went 2-3-5 at Great Southwest last weekend, respectively.  Okoronkwo had a 41-6.75w at the Youth Olympic Trials as her best, while McQueen was 2nd at NBNI with a 41-3.75 and Axel won her 3A state meet at 40-11.25w.  Team NSAF Caribbean Scholastic alum Javonne Antoine (Elizabeth Seton, MD senior) is also a serious contender; she was 2nd at Penn with 41-7.5w and 4th at NBNI.

BOYS’ TRIPLE JUMP

National Record: 54-10.25, Kenny Hall, LA, 2004
Meet Record: 52-7.25, Marquis Dendy, DE, 2010

Top 6 Entrants
(based on 2014 in/out)
1. KeAndre Bates, 14, TX, 50-9.5 (51-6.25 in ’13)
2. John Warren, 14, VA, 49-7 (51-3i, 50-10.75w in ’13)
3. Darrell Jones, 14, NY, 49-4.75 (50-4.75w)
4. Jeremy McDuffie, 15, GA, 49-0 (49-8.25nwi)
5. Ryan Thomas, 14, DE, 48-10.25i (47-10.75 out, 49-6.75nwi, 49-3 in ’13)
6. Devon Willis, 14, NY, 48-4i (48-10.25 in ’13)

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Jeremiah Green, 13, FL, 52-2
2. Aaron Worrell, 13, VA 50-9.5
3. John Warren, 14, KS, 49-6.25
4. Shaquille Griffin, 13, FL, 49-1.5
5. Shaquem Griffin, 13, FL, 48-11
6. Devon Willis, 14, NY, 48-10.25

Analysis:  A trio of 50-footers, part of a group of four of the top five finishers from this March’s NBNI, figure to battle for the title here.  The favorite at this point is the NSAF Project Triple Jump’s KeAndre Bates (El Paso Burges, TX senior).  A World Youth finalist in 2013, when he hit is still-standing 51-6.75 PR, he came back this winter for 2nd at NBNI (behind Nate Moore, who’s not here).  Just last weekend at Great Southwest he hit his seasonal best, a US#2 50-9.5 that leads all entries. 

The competition, however, will be tough – led by John Warren.  The Prince George, VA senior – a Team NSAF Caribbean Scholastic alum – was 3rd both at the 2013 NBNO and NBNI this year.  He’s very capable of battling Bates around the 50-51 foot marks.  Another becoming familiar with 50-foot-plus jumps is Darrell Jones (Monroe-Woodbury, NY senior), who was 4th at NBNI.  Although the marks were wind-aided, he hit 50-2w for 2nd at Penn, then won his state meet last weekend at 50-4.75w.  Others who have had multiple meets in the 48-49 range are Jeremy McDuffie (Shiloh, GA junior), Ryan Thomas (Milford, DE senior; 5th at NBNI) and Devon Willis (Schalmont, NY senior; 6th at 2013 NBNO).

BOYS’ POLE VAULT

National Record: 18-3.5, Shawn Barber, TX, 2012
Meet Record: 17-8.25, Jack Whitt, OK, 2009

Top 6 Entrants
(based on 2014 PR)
1. Devin King, 14, LA, 17-10.5i
2. Brandon Bray, 15, TX, 17-8
3. Luke Winder, 14, IL, 17-5i
4. Paulo Benavides, 15, 17-2.5
5. Todd Uckermark, 14, NY, 16-9i
6. Jonathan Denby, 14, IL, 16-7

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Daven Murphree, 13, TX, 17-0
2. Devin King, 14, LA, 16-8
3. Aaron Owens, 13, OH, 16-4
4. Timothy Moses, 13, PA, 16-4
5. Peter Fagen, 13, NJ, 16-0
6. Matthew Rowland, 13, OH, 16-0

Analysis: You could hardly dream up a better boys’ pole vault field and competition than this: A reigning King (literally and figuratively), with a national record in hand but whose recent relatively modest performances possibly leaving him vulnerable; an incredible rising young star who may just be bold and fearless enough to take the crown away; and a pair of pursuers who are good enough to take advantage of anyone who may falter.

Devin King (Sumner, LA senior) has been unbeaten and unbeatable all year, peaking with his 17-10.25 to win NBNI.  The fact that he hasn’t jumped higher than 17-8 since, or been tested in months, seemingly makes him a bit vulnerable ... to someone like Brandon Bray.  The China Spring, TX junior surprised everyone in April with a 17-6 in a small invite, but he really shocked ‘em with his 17-8 national junior class record to win 3A state.  He had been just 7th, well behind King, at the Texas Relays.  But it’s a whole new ballgame now.

If King is on, the 18-foot barrier or even the 18-3.5 nation record could be in danger.  But can Bray go even higher than his Texas stunner a month ago?

If either King or Bray is off their game at all, then consistent Luke Winder (Plainfield Central, IL senior) with a 17-5 best and Paulo Benavides (El Paso Franklin, TX junior) – a 17-2.5 vaulter who was last weekend’s Great Southwest winner and finished 4th at World Youths ahead of King last summer – could be there to take 1st or 2nd.  And don’t forget about Jack Denby (Carlinville, IL senior), another Illinois vaulter who was a surprise 2nd at NBNI.

GIRLS’ POLE VAULT

National Record: 14-3.25, Desiree Freier, TX, 2014
Meet Record: 13-8.25, Morgan LeLeux, LA, 2011

Top Entrants
(based on 2014 PR)
1. Desiree Freier, 14, TX, 14-6i
2. Kally Long, 14, TX, 13-6
3. Mackenzie Shell, 15, MI, 13-2
4. Nicole Summersett, 15, TX, 13-1.5
Four at 13-0

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Emily Savage, 13, CT, 12-10.75
2. Annie Rhodes, 13, TX, 12-6.75
3. Kally Long, 14, TX, 12-6.75
4. Megan McCabe, 14, CO, 12-6.75
5. Kristen Lee, 13, NC, 12-6.75
6. Nicole Summersett, 15, TX, 12-2.75

Analysis:  As is the case with Devin King on the boys’ side, it seems like we haven’t really seen Desiree Freier (Justin Northwest, TX senior) at top form for awhile.  In mid-April, a month after she took down the indoor HSR at NBNI, she went back undercover for a 14-6 record in an outdoor Area meet where the PV was forced indoors by weather.  But at the Texas state meet she won with just 13-6, then passed up Great Southwest last weekend.  So will that record-challenging form return as NBNO and the rest of the year’s biggest meets are at hand?

On the other hand, one of her competitors would need something really special or extraordinary misfortune for Freier in order to win.  There’s a gap of a foot between her and #2 entrant Kally Long (Wimberly, TX senior), whose best is 13-6.  Long was 2nd at NBNI and 3rd at NBNO last June.  After that, there’s a big group between 13 and 13-2.

GIRLS’ LONG JUMP

National Record: 22-3, Kathy McMillan, NC, 1976
Meet Record (tie): 20-7.25, Tianna Madison, OH, 2003
Meet Record (tie): 20-7.25, Courtney Corrin, CA, 2013

Top 6 Entrants
(based on 2014 PR)
1. Keturah Orji, 14, NJ, 20-8.75i (20-6 nwi, 20-11.75 in ’13)
2. Courtney Corrin, 16, CA, 20-8.5 (21-0 in ’13)
3. Kayla Richardson, 14, NJ, 20-2.25
4. Madeline Holmberg, 15, PA, 20-1
5. Angelica Collins, 14, SC, 20-1
6. Chinne Okoronkwo, 16, WA, 19-11.75w

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Courtney Corrin, 16, CA, 20-7.25
2. Keturah Orji, 14, NJ, 20-6.25w
3. Shakinah Brooks, 13, NC, 19-6
4. Jasmine Quinn, 14, SC, 19-2.75
5. Alexis Reeves, 13, DE, 19-2.5w
6. Amy Taintor, 14, CT, 19-0.5w

Analysis: The battle between Courtney Corrin (Harvard-Westlake, CA soph) and Keturah Orji (Mt. Union, NJ senior) is the thing in this event.  It’s their first meeting since last summer, when they met three times.  Corrin, who led the nation most of her amazing frosh year, won the 2013 NBNO title while Orji was 2nd.  At the World Youth Trials, they finished in the same order, making Team USA for the Worlds.  But in Donetsk, Orji had the jump of her life, hitting 20-11.75 and winning silver – while Corrin was out of the medals and suffered her first loss of the year.

Flash forward to 2014 ... Corrin started late, due to her soccer season, and still hasn’t reached her 2013 best of 21-0 – but she’s still been outstanding.  Orji hasn’t topped her 2013 best, either, but won the NBNI long jump and is unbeaten (though she hasn’t faced any of the tough Californians).  This will be a great matchup Sunday, the day after Orji’s triple jump adventures.

There are three other 20-footers in the field.  Kayla Richardson, part of the Columbia, NJ powerhouse (a senior), hit her mark at the Penn Relays while taking 2nd.  Madeline Holmberg (Hempfield Area, PA junior) and Angelica Collins (Wando, SC senior) are new to this level and achieved legal 20-footers at their state meets.  Team NSAF’s Chinne Okoronkwo (Mountlake Terrace, WA soph) improved dramatically at Great Southwest, hitting nearly 20 feet with wind, and thrust herself into contention for a 2nd event.

BOYS’ LONG JUMP

National Record: 26-10, Marquise Goodwin, TX, 2009
Meet Record: 25-6.75, Maurice English, SC, 1998

Top 6 Entrants
(based on 2014 outdoor PR)
1. KeAndre Bates, 14, TX, 24-3.75
2. John Warren, 14, VA, 24-1.25
3. Christopher McBride, 15, GA, 24-1
4. Desmond Anderson, 15, 24-0.5
5. Isaiah Moore, 14, NC, 23-11.5
6. Deiondre Porter, 14, FL, 23-11

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Andre Jefferson, 13, TX, 25-4.5w
2. Desmond Mobley, 13, NY, 24-0.75
3. Isaiah Moore, 14, NC, 23-10
4. Jeremiah Green, 13, FL, 23-0.5w
5. Cole Henderson, 14, IL, 22-11
6. Jordan Partee, 14, IN, 22-7.75

Analysis:  After KeAndre Bates’ big jump last weekend in Albuquerque, and with some of the country’s hi-24 and 25-footers staying home, the El Paso Burges senior is finding himself with a solid chance to achieve a horizontal jumps double.  The TJ field (see summary above) is his true specialty and that field is tougher.  But with his new 24-3.75 best, he’s arguable the man to beat here.

Like Bates, Isaiah Moore (Cummings HS, NC senior) repped Team USA at World Youths last year, with Moore in the LJ (bronze medal) and 110H.  He’s still trying to get back to 24 feet, but he should be very motivated in his home state.  He was 3rd here last year.  John Warren (Prince George, VA senior), like Bates one of the TJ key players, is also in a secondary event for him – but being a 24-footer will be a key contender.  Two juniors in the 24-foot range, Christian McBride (Redan, GA) and Desmond Anderson (Broome, SC), should also fight for the high medals.

GIRLS’ HIGH JUMP

National Record (tie): 6-4, Amy Acuff, TX, 1993
National Record (tie): 6-4, Toni Young, OK, 2009
Meet Record: 6-2, Amy Acuff, TX, 1993

Top 6 Entrants
(based on 2014 outdoor PR)
1. Bailey Weiland, 14, GA, 5-11
2. Janae’ Moffitt, 15, IN, 5-10.5
3. Nicole Greene, 15, FL, 5-10
4. Logan Boss, 14, FL 5-10
5. Abby Jones, 15, PA, 5-9
6. Crystal Jones, 15, VA, 5-9

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Abby Jones, 15, PA, 5-8.5
2. Megan McCloskey, 14, PA, 5-8.5
3. Nicole Greene, 15, FL, 5-6.5
4. Crystal Jones, 15, VA, 5-6.5
4. Janae Moffitt, 15, IN, 5-6.5
6. Kendell Williams, 13, GA, 5-6.5

Analysis:  It took just 5-8.5 for Abby Jones (Franklin Area, PA junior) to win here in tough conditions last year.  She’s back, but it will likely take better than her 5-9 PR to prevail this year.  That said, with five returnees from last year’s top seven, this will be familiar territory for everyone.  Bailey Weiland (Marist, GA senior) is at 5-11, having improved since she was 7th last year.  Nicole Greene (Ponte Verda, FL junior), Crystal Jones (Colonial Forge, VA junior) and Janae Moffitt (Oak Hill, IN junior) all leapt 5-6.5 here as well in 2013, finishing 3rd and tied for 4th, respectively.  Moffitt went 5-10.5 at the Youth Olympic Trials in early April this year, but is still looking to top that.  Green has also leapt 5-10 and Jones has gone 5-9.

BOYS’ HIGH JUMP

National Record: 7-7, Andra Manson, TX, 2002
Meet Record: 7-4.5, Paul Klemic, NJ, 2000

Top 5 Entrants
(based on 2014 outdoor PR)
1. Steve Dunbar, 14, VA, 7-1i
2. David Njoku, 14, NJ, 7-1
3. Brandon Piwinski, 15, MI, 7-0.25
4. Myles Lazarou, 14, NC, 6-11.75
5. Philippe St-Hilaire, 14, QC, CAN, 6-10.75

2013 NBNO Top 6
(entered returnees in bold)
1. Miles Bearden, GA, 7-0.25
2. Steve Dunbar, 14, VA, 7-0.25
3. Justin Kretchmer, 13, IL, 6-10.75
4. Zachary Davis, 13, NJ, 6-10.75
5. David Njoku, 14, NJ, 6-8.75
6. Jake Almquist, 13, CT, 6-8.75

Analysis:  Steve Dunbar (Tallwood, VA senior) has built up a resume that includes 7-foot jumps in three different seasons, a US#2 7-1 this past winter, an Arcadia victory over Randall Cunningham, Jr., and a runner-up finish at last June’s NBNO.  What he doesn’t have is a national title, so this might finally be the weekend it happens for him.  Another major contender to win is David Njoku (Cedar Grove, NJ senior), who has cleared 7-0 or better three times in the last three weeks.  He was 5th at NBNO last year.

Myles Lazarou (Northern Guilford, NC senior) is a 6-11.75 performer who competes unattached.  He was the EE high jump runner-up last year.  The competition will have an international flair as Philippe St-Hilaire comes from Montreal to compete with a 6-11 best.