Perfect Wind And Day To Break 25 Feet For McBride
Still nursing a sore back and not ranked among the top athletes in the field, Chris McBride’s goal was simply to make it to the podium.
He did, right at the top.
The senior from Redman High soared to a winning distance of 25 feet, 1.25 inches (US #4) to take the long jump. Although wind-aided, it was McBride’s first time over the 25-foot plateau and a personal best by a foot!
“I knew I hit the board well,” he said. “When they said 7.65 (meters), I knew I did it. On my first jump they said 7.61 (meters) and that was 24-11. When they said 7.65, I just started clapping.”
Speaking of his initial leap of 24-11, that wasn’t wind-aided. It also enabled McBride to relax a little more knowing that a victory was possible.
“It was everything,” he said. “My coach always said end the competition on the first jump. I had good speed on it and I knew I hit the board. We have been working on my landing. All that played together.”
McBride beat a talented field that featured the nation’s No. 1 leaper, Grant Holloway of Grassfield (VA). Holloway was fifth overall with a distance of 23-10, nearly two feet less than his PB. Finishing second overall was Justes Nance of Blair Academy (NJ) with a 24-5.75 effort. Saahir Bethea of Cheltenham (PA) was third, also at 24-5.75.