American Record: Kenny Harrison, 59-4.25
2007 U.S. Champion: Aarik Wilson, 55-11.75
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: Melvin Lister, 58-4
Top 5 Seed Times
1.) Aarik Wilson, 57-8.25
2.) Walter Davis, 56-11.25
3.) Rafeeq Curry, 56-6
4.) Lawrence Willis, 55-8
5.) Brandon Roulhac, 55-7.75
It’s hard to follow the triple jump in America and not hear the name Walter Davis. In six of the past seven years, Davis, 29, has been the best in America, including a bronze medal in Osaka at last year’s World Championships. For the Olympic Trials, Davis is seeded second. In 2006 he won the U.S. outdoor and world indoor triple jump titles. In all, he’s won titles at the NCAA, U.S. and world levels, and would make his second Olympic team this season if he qualifies.
Both Davis and Aarik Wilson come into the meet as question marks despite their solid resumés. Davis has endured an injury-filled 2008 season, while Wilson, who won the long and triple jump at the 2005 NCAA indoor meet champion while at Indiana, has jumped almost a foot-and-a-half shorter this season than in 2007. His 2007 season shouldn’t be discounted, however; Wilson, 26, was the U.S. champion in the triple jump both indoor and outdoor. His personal best of 57-8.25 is seeded first.
Kenta Bell, who held the third-farthest mark but was undeclared as of the first week of competition, was a 2004 entrant in Athens with Davis. He took third at the 2007 U.S. outdoor championships but was disqualified from his bronze medal later when he tested positive for a banned substance. He served a three-month suspension because of the positive test.
Rafeeq Curry, a 2006 Florida State graduate who has the third-seeded mark for entrants, wouldn’t be a surprising Olympic team member if he jumps to his potential. He hasn’t been out of the top five in America in the past three years. He has the year’s best mark for the U.S., jumping 56-6 in late March.
Men’s triple jump
Daily Emerald
July 3, 2008
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