FERZELL SHEPARD AND TRISTEN HARRIS HOIST THE QUALIFIER FIELD MVP HARDWARE
The setting for the story of the 2024 LSU High School Qualifier happened on the long jump runways in both the girls' and boys' event. That's where West Feliciana's Tristen Harris jumped a 19-11.50, breaking Myra Combs' (19-6) 26-year old fieldhouse composite record.
It's also where Scotlandville's Ferzell Shepard jumped a 24-00.25. While the mark did not break a record it is the best jump in the nation this year.
Harris reviewed the record with her coach before the competition. For Shepard, the US#1 jump exceeded the goals he had set for himself in the event.
Both Harris and Shepard were rewarded for their efforts by being named the LSU HS Qualifier Field Event MVP.
TRISTEN HARRIS ON HER RECORD-BREAKING DAY!
Both Harris and Shepard did work in other events as well. Harris won the 60m. In that event, she tied the meet record of 7.50 set by John Curtis' Raven Nunnery in 2021.
"It felt really good because I've been working really hard and I just wanted to get that," Harris said. "And coming from the long jump and already being warmed up, I knew I was going to do good in the 60m."
Harris seems to have found a common denominator in her long jumping success.
"Honestly, I was just having fun," Harris said. "Once I'm having fun and get comfortable, only God knows what I will jump or do."
The mark was not a season best for Harris, who jumped 20-00.25 in her season opener at the North Texas Showcase. The mark stands as the No. 2 effort in the United States. Only the University of Georgia signee from Frisco, Texas-Skylynn Townsend (20-2.5)--has jumped farther.
"I was just having fun there, as well," Harris said.
Harris talked about breaking the long-standing record with pride.
"This is my first time breaking a record at LSU on the indoor track so I was really, really happy about that. My coach told me before the meet what the record was so I was going for that."
For Shepard and his Scotlandville HC Allen Whitaker will have to go back to the drawing board to figure up some new goals as Shepard accomplished his initial goal with Saturday's performance.
It's not the first horizontal jumper with a No. 1 ranking who Whitaker has coached. He coached Ruston triple jumper Brandon Green, who now competes for the Oklahoma University, before coming to Scotlandville.
"We have been building up to that moment for a month," Whitaker said. "He trusted the process. We moved his steps back on Friday. We wanted to do it earlier in the week, but--with the weather--we had to do it Friday."
FERZELL SHEPARD ON HIS US#1 24-0.25 IN THE LSU HS QUALIFIER LONG JUMP
Shephard told his coach that he thought his best jump was the second to last jump when he fouled by a "toenail." Shepard moved his approach back six inches knowing that he would have the adrenaline with him on the last jump of the competition. Shepard hit the board perfectly on his last attempt.
"He is very smart with making adjustments like that," Whitaker said. "Brandon Green was like that, too. I teach all of my jumpers to make adjustments on their own. At track meets, I am all over the place. They can't depend on me to be there all the time."
"I just left it all out there, really," Shepard said. "I paced myself getting out because I was going to build my speed up at the jump. I've been jumping 22s. I didn't really expect a 24. I was thinking 23-5. But, 24..let's go!"
Where Shepard will go next is the McNeese Indoor No. 2 Meet in Lake Charles. Although, according to to Whitaker, it's doubtful Shepard will jump. However, Shepard's teammate--Broderick Davis--may provide the Hornets with another magical moment in the jumps. Davis is ranked No. 3 in the nation with a best jump of 24-0 at the FasTrak Athletix Indoor Challenge in December.
READ MORE: VEDEREK MATTHEWS EXPERIENCES BEST OF TIMES AT LSU QUALIFIER!