NCAA D1 Indoor ChampionshipsMar 8, 2015 by Meg Bellino
NCAA Preview: Men's/Women's Long Jump
NCAA Preview: Men's/Women's Long Jump
Akela Jones, Kansas State
A six-time NAIA national champion, Jones is making her mark in her first year at Kansas State and the NCAA. The 2014 World Junior Champion in this event (for Barbados), she is the overwhelming favorite heading into Fayetteville with her 6.64m leap. She’s so good that her pentathlon score of 4402 would put her at No. 4 in the NCAA. Instead, she’ll be in the long jump, high jump, and 60m hurdles.
Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
The 2014 indoor champion will be jumping in front of a home crowd and will no doubt be chasing the repeat. It will not be easy. He was only fourth at the SEC Championships, losing to Marquis Dendy of Florida. However, his performances in Fayetteville this season, including his No. 1 8.03m mark make the Lawson-Dendy matchup one to watch.
Marquis Dendy, Florida
The 2014 outdoor champion in both long and triple jumps will be traveling to Fayetteville to spoil Lawson’s day. His 8.02m mark from 2015 was set at the Razorback Invite and he performed well at the SEC Championships, winning both jumps. His ability to perform well in high pressure meets makes him just as much the favorite as Lawson.
A six-time NAIA national champion, Jones is making her mark in her first year at Kansas State and the NCAA. The 2014 World Junior Champion in this event (for Barbados), she is the overwhelming favorite heading into Fayetteville with her 6.64m leap. She’s so good that her pentathlon score of 4402 would put her at No. 4 in the NCAA. Instead, she’ll be in the long jump, high jump, and 60m hurdles.
Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
The 2014 indoor champion will be jumping in front of a home crowd and will no doubt be chasing the repeat. It will not be easy. He was only fourth at the SEC Championships, losing to Marquis Dendy of Florida. However, his performances in Fayetteville this season, including his No. 1 8.03m mark make the Lawson-Dendy matchup one to watch.
Marquis Dendy, Florida
The 2014 outdoor champion in both long and triple jumps will be traveling to Fayetteville to spoil Lawson’s day. His 8.02m mark from 2015 was set at the Razorback Invite and he performed well at the SEC Championships, winning both jumps. His ability to perform well in high pressure meets makes him just as much the favorite as Lawson.
Sha’Keela Saunders, Kentucky
The 2014 outdoor runner-up has been successful in her second indoor campaign. She won the competitive Rod McCravy Memorial and SEC Championship (No. 2 6.55m) on her home track, and jumped 6.49m at Tyson, so she knows how to perform in Fayetteville, as well.
Jenna Prandini, Oregon
Prandini didn’t make the NCAA indoor championships last year before taking home then outdoor title. She’s got the No. 4 mark in 2015, but has the credentials of 6.55m outdoors, making her dangerous for the Ducks. She only has one jump to her name indoors, so we’ll have to see if training has prepared her to soar past the 6.50m barrier.
Roelf Pienaar, Arkansas State
Pienaar may have be upset at the Sun Belt Championships, but he’s consistent at NCAA championships. Third indoor and ninth outdoor in 2014, this sophomore will need to move past his conference place (disappointing second) to compete with Lawson and Dendy. His 7.97m mark stands at No. 3 and is already much better than any marks posted in 2014.
The 2014 outdoor runner-up has been successful in her second indoor campaign. She won the competitive Rod McCravy Memorial and SEC Championship (No. 2 6.55m) on her home track, and jumped 6.49m at Tyson, so she knows how to perform in Fayetteville, as well.
Jenna Prandini, Oregon
Prandini didn’t make the NCAA indoor championships last year before taking home then outdoor title. She’s got the No. 4 mark in 2015, but has the credentials of 6.55m outdoors, making her dangerous for the Ducks. She only has one jump to her name indoors, so we’ll have to see if training has prepared her to soar past the 6.50m barrier.
Roelf Pienaar, Arkansas State
Pienaar may have be upset at the Sun Belt Championships, but he’s consistent at NCAA championships. Third indoor and ninth outdoor in 2014, this sophomore will need to move past his conference place (disappointing second) to compete with Lawson and Dendy. His 7.97m mark stands at No. 3 and is already much better than any marks posted in 2014.
Keturah Orji, Georgia
The freshman phenom from Georgia may be a triple jump expert, but she’s got the credentials to do some damage in the long jump, as well. No. 5 Orji She was a 2013 World Youth Silver Medallist in the long jump and is the No. 2-ranked junior in the world. With the long jump scheduled before the triple, Orji will have fresh legs on her side.
KeAndre Bates, Florida
The top freshman entered with 7.84m (No. 8 spot), Bates is following in his teammate Dendy’s footsteps by mastering the long and triple jumps. A 2013 World Youth competitor in the triple jump, Bates’ highly competitive nature will carry him into the top-eight. And with Dendy serving as his leader, his future looks bright.
The freshman phenom from Georgia may be a triple jump expert, but she’s got the credentials to do some damage in the long jump, as well. No. 5 Orji She was a 2013 World Youth Silver Medallist in the long jump and is the No. 2-ranked junior in the world. With the long jump scheduled before the triple, Orji will have fresh legs on her side.
KeAndre Bates, Florida
The top freshman entered with 7.84m (No. 8 spot), Bates is following in his teammate Dendy’s footsteps by mastering the long and triple jumps. A 2013 World Youth competitor in the triple jump, Bates’ highly competitive nature will carry him into the top-eight. And with Dendy serving as his leader, his future looks bright.