For the first time since 1996, the United States will have a full women’s triple jump team for the Olympics.
Leading the bunch is Keturah Orji, who’s fifth jump of 46 feet 11 ¾ inches was the seventh best jump in U.S. history. Orji led for the entire competition, setting up a decent lead for herself by jumping 46-10.
“I’m happy to have other people jumping there, support there, and hopefully we can be really competitive,” said Orji.
Coming into the trials, Orji was one of two triple jumpers who had already hit the standard. The other one was Andrea Geubelle, who ended up finishing in third with a distance of 45-9 ¼.
In second place was an athlete who achieved the standard while she was competing, Christina Epps. After fouling her first two jumps, Epps finally got on the board with a jump of 44-4 ¾. On her fifth jump, she improved to 45-9 ¼, which hit the standard. She moved from fifth place to second with that jump.
“My stomach was dropped and I had butterflies,” Epps said. “I was just like ‘Oh man, please be 14-15 (meters).’”
The women’s triple jump was added to the Olympics in 1996, and no American woman has ever placed. All three of the jumpers are under 25, so they may be around for a while. This gives the United States hope that perhaps one of them will bring home the first triple jump Olympic medal.
“We’re all so young,” said Geubelle. “We have so many years until we’re technically at our peak as triple jumpers.”
The men’s triple jump began its first round today. Out of 25 competitors, 12 made it to the next round, including Christian Taylor, who finished third, and Will Claye, who finished in 9th.
Taylor is the defending and Olympic Champion. On his first jump, he automatically qualified for the next round with a distance of 55-4 ¼.
Claye, the defending silver medalist, did not fare so well. After fouling his first jump, he hit a mark of 53-8 ½ on his second. He then decided to pass on his third attempt .
“I just felt like I was in a comfortable position to where I’ll make it to the finals,” Claye said. “I’ve got to go out there and focus on the finals now and do all I need to do to make the team.”
Matthew O’Neal won the event, jumping 55-8 ¼ on his final turn. Barely behind him was Donald Scott with a mark of 55-7 ¾.
The final for the men’s triple jump will take place on Saturday, giving the athletes a day to rest.