West Feliciana brings up yet another national-caliber talent. It seems like this school couldn't stop creating strong sprinters and jumpers if they wanted to. With previous names in the mix like Darius Davis, Kennedy London, and Kamden Jackson, let's look at the next name in West Feliciana's legacy, Tristen Harris.
Harris currently ranks within the top ten for both of her events in the state of Louisiana. Not only that, but she ranks in the top 75 IN THE NATION in the long jump with her indoor season best of 18-2! Not only is that mark incredible, but her best-recorded mark comes from last year during the outdoor season where she jumped 19-2.75!
Harris demonstrated her talent at a young age when she managed to qualify for two separate AAU Junior Olympic games while she was just in middle school in the 80m hurdles, 100m, 200m, and long jump.
Her freshman year was something special. Harris appeared to be just another competitor during the 2022 indoor season, but once the state meet rolled around, she did the unexpected. Not only did she land a massive PR in the long jump, but she also secured her very first state title. On top of that, she overperformed in the 60m dash and took the favorite to a photo finish. This resulted in her second-ever podium at a state meet and secured her namesake as a dark horse.
Tristen Harris (lane 4) placing 2nd at the 2022 Indoor State Championships
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Harris couldn't settle for less as she took this dramatic success from indoor and carried it over to the outdoor season, where she continued to land on the podium three additional times! She managed to snatch one of everything, as she took bronze in the long jump, silver in the 200m, and gold in the 100m, marking her second state title.
If you thought that was as good as it could possibly get for a freshman season, well just sit down one second, there's plenty more. She continued to dominate at the USATF Southern Association JO Championship, taking gold in the 100m, 200m, and the long jump. With that in the books, she made her way to California and competed in the USATF Junior Olympic Games.
It was here that she made it to the finals in both the long jump and the 100m dash, where she finished 2nd and 6th, respectively. As of right now, she is ahead of where she was last year, so one can only imagine where she will end up this year. All that is certain as of right now, is that things are looking up for this three-time state champion for the indoor season. There is no doubt that she will remain in the US top 100 rankings as she continues through her high school career and perhaps even take down the Division II indoor record of 19-00.5 set back in 2005 by Kenyatta Brooks.