Jeremiah Willis Smashes Junior State Long Jump Record
What Place: 2nd in Championship Division Long Jump
Why: He made his first big splash in the National Headlines last week, when he let loose a NY #11 All-Time Jump to capture the New York State Title in the Triple Jump at 49-5.5. But one week later, and Jeremiah Willis was ready to etch his name in something bigger than just the Section Recordbook. On his third jump of the National Long Jump competition, and the last attempt before finals, Willis unleashed a 24-5.5 jump that would erase the previous Junior Class State Record. That mark was held by Nashville Peart (Laguardia), set back in 1990 at 24-3.75.
With the record already won, the competition was the next thing on his mind. Willis led the competition until the second to last jump of the day, where CT's Dyshon Vaughn would match Willis' jump, therefore giving Vaughn the edge based on the next best jump. However, Willis would still take Silver, walk away with the record, and be able to come back next year to go for Gold.