National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

Saudia.  Allyson.  Jordyn.  Call them “Project Triple Jump: The Next Generation.”

But first … it wasn’t so long ago when we were engaged in the ups and downs of an exciting indoor and outdoor season of our 2013-14 NSAF Project Triple Jump crew, led by our three seniors Keturah Orji, KeAndre Bates and Darrielle McQueen.  They soared through their state meets, major invitationals, New Balance Nationals, training in Chula Vista and The Bahamas … and finally, Junior Nationals and Worlds – keeping the Project alive deep into the summer. 

Then, with one final landing in the pit, the season was done and our seniors were gone – off to their respective collegiate adventures in Georgia, Florida and more competition around the nation and the world. 

Who would replace them?

In June, after watching her at NBNO, we had already welcomed Allyson Weiss, who had already been attending our clinics “on her own.”  Then, as we considered the wonderful talent around the country, two others literally “jumped” out at us – rising talents poised for the next level in the persons of Saudia James-Heard and Jordyn Lesh.

So, we were at eight again – along with returnees Felicienne Axel, Chinne Okoronkwo, Ja’Mari Ward, Nashedah Mumin and Arielle Mack – and said “bring it on” to 2014-15!  Our new trio joined us at our recent (Oct. 16-19) Houston clinic and it’s time to meet them:
 

Saudia James-Heard, Curtis HS (Lakewood, WA)/Flying AJs, Class of 2018

It’s hard to believe how far Saudia progressed in 2014, her first year in the triple jump – but she’s proven she’s not an ordinary student-athlete.  She had been attracted to the event as a sprinter/jumper for a few years before finally being allowed to give it a real shot this year with Coach Nate Wilford – all the while, of course, watching Flying AJs teammate Chinne Okoronkwo doing her thing for Project TJ already. 

Starting out in the 36s was impressive enough, but in July Saudia had a meet-record-setting 37-4.25 at the AAU Club Championships in Florida, then a few weeks later an eye-popping USATF JO national meet record (13-14) at 38-8.75.  Suddenly she is entering 2014-15 as the nation’s best freshman in the event.  And on top of that, she enjoyed PRs of 17-11.5 in the long jump and 56.15 in the 400 this summer.

On how she enjoyed her first Project TJ clinic, what she learned and what was most exciting:  Attending my first clinic was amazing!  I met many interesting people and learned a lot about the aspects of jumping.  Specifically, I learned that there are three important phases before I even get to the board: drive, maintain and attack.  I also learned where to position my center of mass as I attack the board.  Most importantly, I learned not to be afraid to travel and meet new people. I was a little nervous at first but everyone was really nice. 

There were several exciting aspects for me this past weekend.  First, was meeting and talking to Ms. Terri Turner, the former World Triple Jump recorder holder!  She was very encouraging and gave me lots of good advice about jumping and just being an athlete.  She was very kind and I discovered we both run the 400m! 

Meeting the entire team and going to the amusement park was loads of fun. All of the team members were very nice and lots of fun to be around.  We had a great time together and learned about each other.  Although we came from different parts of the country we had so much in common.  I can't wait to see them all again at the next clinic!  This was truly an awesome experience that I will not forget.  I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this program and I am very grateful!

(pre-clinic questions)

On what she was doing when she learned she'd been invited to join Project TJ and her reaction: When I found out I was selected, I was at track practice doing my drills and my coach (Nate Wilford) called me over and they told me the news.  I was so surprised and excited I took off running!  I was so happy I didn't know what else to do!  My parents didn't tell me right away, they let Nate tell me. I still have a big glowing smile on my face.

On learning about the Project: I heard about it from Chinne and Coach Nate.  Coach was talking about it early in our 2014 season, but I really didn't pay much attention because I wasn't a triple jumper at the time.  Toward the end of the year, before nationals, Chinne and I were talking at practice and she mentioned how much fun she was having being a part of the Project and she said I should try to make the team -- but I would have to jump at least 38 feet.  We really wanted to be on the team together.  So that night I wrote on a white board in my room that I was going to WIN at (USAFTF) nationals and make the Project.  I would look at my board every day!  I still can't believe I did it!

On becoming interested in the event:  I was attracted to triple jumping about 3 years ago. I enjoyed long jumping and was really good at it.  Coach Nate wanted me to try triple jumping, but my dad really didn't want me to. He thought it would be too hard on my knees and was afraid I would get injured.  But this year, I finally convinced him to let me try it.  Right before the beginning of our outdoor season (April), I triple jumped at the Phoenix Invitational for the first time and won!  Since then, every time I jumped I would PR. I really enjoy triple jumping.

On her 2014 season: It was amazing!  I worked really hard, was truly blessed and accomplished so many goals!  I ran my fastest time in the 400 (56.15) and broke the meet record for triple jump at the USATF JOs(13-14) and the AAU/ESPN CLUB Championship during my first year jumping!  Overall, I broke 3 meet records this year and had several newspaper write-ups and interviews. I made a lot of people proud, and myself super proud!

On goals for the next season: My goals for 2015 are to win triple jump at nationals again and come back better and stronger. I would love to win state as a freshman, as well. I would like to work on my triple jump technique, mainly the second phase. I have a habit of kicking my leg out and my left leg needs to get stronger. I would also like to improve my 400 time.
 

Allyson Weiss, East Ridge HS (Woodbury, MN)/East Ridge AC, Class of 2018

She found us in Dallas last fall, a 8th-grader traveling with her family all the way down from Minnesota to join us with all our high school kids at our first 2013-14 Project TJ clinic on an atypical cold, rainy Texas weekend.  She had jumped 35-7.75 as a 7th grader the previous summer and it was clear that Allyson Weiss was very serious about the triple jump.

She came back to join us in Fort Lauderdale in December, then leapt through a Minnesota season that saw progress into the 36s and 37s.  Then at NBNO, she opened eyes a little wider with a strong 37-9.5 PR in the Emerging Elite TJ to take 5th.  She had taken what she had learned in Texas and Florida and added two feet to her 2013 best.  She was in.

On just finishing her first clinic as a Project TJ athlete:  Now that my first Project Triple Jump clinic is over, I really enjoyed the trip, being able to spend the entire weekend with all of the Project Triple Jump athletes.  I feel like I am part of the family.  The most exciting aspect of the weekend for me was being able to meet new jumpers, but also getting to spend more time with the original Project Triple Jump members.  The most important thing I learned about the triple jump is what my mentality should look like and how I should train for the event outside of Project Triple Jump clinics.

(pre-clinic questions)

On what she was doing when she learned she’d been invited to join Project TJ and her reaction:  When I found out that I had been invited, I was speechless.  I was invited at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in June and was not expecting it at all.

On training at the Bahamas clinic for the first time this past summer:  My first trip to the Bahamas was one of the best trips I’ve ever had.  It’s such a great experience training with elite athletes and traveling internationally for it.

On how she felt about the 2014 season:  I was very happy with my spring season with the high school.  I was a little disappointed with my Junior Olympic season; I know I could have performed better, but I also know I can’t have a personal best every meet.

On what she’s working on for 2015 and goals for the season ahead:  Starting now this fall, I would like to work on patience throughout my jump and form in the air.  I would like to jump 39-plus feet in 2015.
 

Jordyn Lesh, Harpeth Hall School (Nashville, TN)/Precision TC, Class of 2017

A young sprinter and long jumper, Jordyn Lesh and her coach at Precision TC decided they’d give the TJ a shot during the summer before her 7th-grade year in 2011.  The following summer she was beyond 35 feet and had a sense maybe she’d found her event.  In 2013 as an 8th-grader, she claimed a state title in Tennessee and proved that she was truly an “Emerging Elite” with her runner-up finish in that event at NBNO, reaching 38-1.25.

At the USATF JOs this past July, she extended that PR to 38-9.5, taking 3rd in the 15-16s and hitting a mark that only three other 9th-graders beat in 2014.  She was also 4th in returning to a stronger NBNO EE TJ field, just ahead of Weiss.  Watching her, it’s not hard to believe that 40 feet is in her near-future as she’s entered her soph year – the oldest of our newcomers, but with three years of prep competition to go.

On how she enjoyed her first Project TJ clinic, what she learned and what was most exciting:  I had a great time at the Project Triple Jump clinic.  I enjoyed meeting the other athletes and getting to know Coach Pratt, Coach Macka and Ms. Joy.  I also really enjoyed getting to talk with Terri Turner-Hairston and listening to her story! 

During the camp, Coach Macka recorded us while we took a couple of short jumps.  We were then able to watch our jumps in slow motion and receive feedback from the coaches.  While watching my film, I was able to see that I was leaning back on my landing and was told that my upper body was too tense.  These are two issues I want to work on and hopefully improve before the next clinic. 

(pre-clinic questions)

On what she was doing when she learned she’d been invited to join Project TJ and her reaction:  I had just finished a pre-season track workout at my school ... I heard my Mom talking to my coaches about triple jump, and I immediately thought of Project TJ.  When I found out she had just spoken to Coach Jones and that I had been chosen, I was so excited!  I have a great coach in Nashville, but he and I are always looking for ways for me to get better and for different training drills I can do at practice.  One of his college coaches trained with Coach Pratt and felt that if I could get the chance to train with Coach Pratt, that would be an amazing opportunity for me. 

On how she first became attracted to the TJ: I have been running with Precision Track Club since I was 10 years old.  I started out with the 100, 200 and long jump.  But when I turned 13, my coach John Hewitt suggested I try triple-jumping.  I only jumped 29 feet that year, but the following summer we kept working on it and I jumped 35 feet at the AAU JOs, which would have been good enough for me to qualify for my high school state meet.  I was a rising 8th grader, and Coach John and I set a goal for me to qualify for state the following spring.  We worked hard during the off-season and I was allowed to compete for the high school team.  I ended up winning the D-II state triple jump, which was so exciting!  I guess that’s when I really realized how much I loved triple-jumping.  It also helps to have a coach who loves the event as well!

On how she felt about the 2014 season: I had a very disappointing high school season.  I really did not get to train techniques between September and mid-February, because this was considered a dead period and high school coaches could only do strength and conditioning, but no technique work.  My goal was 39 feet, but I never jumped over 37-10.  When summer track started, I only focused on long and triple jump.  I was able to set a new PR of 38-11.75 at the USATF regional meet and I jumped 38-9 at the USATF JOs, so I was happy with that.

On goals for the upcoming season: My goal for 2015 is to jump 40 feet.  I am lucky that the TSSAA has eliminated the dead period, so I can train this fall and winter.  We just started doing some bounding drills in October.  I really want to work on being consistent and I want to improve my form on my landing.  I am hoping to learn some new drills that we can work on at home.