EUGENE, Ore. - Bethune-Cookman jumper Kenneth Fisher made a huge leap on Saturday (July 5) at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon, both in his career and for the program. The freshman surpassed the school record in the long jump at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Championships and earned a first-ever berth to represent team USA.
The East Point, Ga. rookie earned second place in the long jump event, hitting a career-best distance of 7.84m (25-08.75 ft.) on his third attempt to register a new program record in the event. That key jump also afforded Fisher the right to become the first Bethune-Cookman track athlete to represent Team USA in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Junior Championships.
“This is monumental for our vastly growing program,” Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Donald Cooper said. “Whenever we can help cast a positive spotlight on our university, we love it. Kenneth Fisher has been committed from day one to doing just that. Coach Tyree Price continues to do an outstanding job as our jumps coach.”
“Hats off to both gentlemen for representing B-CU in such a fashion,” Cooper added. “We look forward to Fisher continuing the success of this season at World Juniors.”
Fisher's previous career high was 7.78m at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships, allowing him to earn the conference individual title in the event. However, Fisher surpassed that mark twice on Saturday, hitting 7.79m (25-06.75 ft.) in his fourth jump of that day as well.
An honorable mention All-American, Fisher is just the third Wildcats athlete to represent Team USA, but the first to make the national team at the World Juniors. Last summer, then-freshman Tristie Johnson was selected to compete in the 200m and as the anchor on the USA 4 x 100m relay at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia. In 2008, then-freshman Ronnie Ash competed for Team USA in the 110m hurdles at the NACAC Under 23 Championships in Toluca, Mexico.
For the IAAF World Junior Championships, Fisher will be on familiar ground, competing at Hayward Field for the third time this year. This event is an international event for junior-aged athletes (19 years old or younger on December 31st of the year of the competition), organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations. It has been held biennially since 1986. This year's event will run from July 22-27.
For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, including meet results and recaps, visit B-CUathletics.com. Be sure to follow the official Twitter feeds at @CookmanTrack and @BCUathletics or "Like Us" on Facebook at BCUAthletics.
-B-CUathletics.com-
