Treyvon Ferguson (Milton Hershey) / Photo by Patty Morgan
Boys' Triple Jump Preview
Perhaps no event on Saturday has the amount of potential champions like the boys' triple jump does.
Leading the way is PA#1 Treyvon Ferguson of Milton Hershey. Ferguson jumped 47-6.5 in Maryland a few weeks ago to put him at the top of the state leaderboard. Ferguson knows about performing at the right time. He was second in the state last winter to Downingtown West's Darian Alston. He's the favorite on paper, but he'll have plenty of challengers.
Souderton's Shamar Jenkins sits at PA#2 and he looks to be the best bet to take on Ferguson. Jenkins has triple jumped just twice this season, but he achieved marks of 46-8 and 46-11 in those two meets (both wins). Most recently, he won at the Meet of Champs and looks primed for a big day on Saturday.
Strath Haven's Dayo Abeeb was second to Jenkins at MOCs. Abeeb has had a terrific junior season that saw him transform into one of the state's top triple jumpers. He got his season best of 46-9 last weekend and should compete for a title on Saturday.
Ahmir Johnson (Wissahickon) Photo by Patty Morgan
Wissahickon's Ahmir Johnson spent much of the early season atop the state leaderboard. The junior hit 46-7 back in December and if he can match that jump this weekend, he'll put himself up there. Penn Charter's Akeem Blake jumped 45-8.5 at MOCs on Saturday for a big PR. The PA#5 will be one to watch. So will Imhotep's Akeem Cooper. Cooper also had a big PR at MOCs, where he placed sixth with a jump of 45-2.5.
Stroudsburg's Shaquille Mitchell just missed a medal in the TJ at outdoor states last spring. He's competed just twice this indoor season, winning at East Stroudsburg and Ocean Breeze, but has shown some good consistency. He'll certainly be one of the contenders come Saturday and likely using that ninth place finish as motivation.
Boys' Triple Jump Entries:
Event 30 Boys Triple Jump (15)
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9 to the finals
State Meet: 49-10.50 3/6/2010 Carlton Lavong, Methacton
Name Year School
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1 Abeeb, Dayo 11 Strath Haven
2 Blake, Akeem 12 Penn Charter
3 Brown, Dustin 12 Schuylkill Val
4 Clark, Brandon 11 State College
5 Cloud, Jalen 12 Kiski Area
6 Cooper, Akeem 11 Imhotep
7 Ferguson, Treyvon 11 Milton Hershey
8 Goodman, Jason 12 Hampton
9 Jenkins, Shamar 12 Souderton
10 Johnson, Ahmir 11 Wissahickon
11 Kaufmann, Brian 12 Upper Dublin
12 Ludlow, Matt 12 Pennridge
13 Mitchell, Shaquille 12 Stroudsburg
14 Rouse, Jaden 11 Penn Hills
15 Watson, Daiquain 12 Altoona