Former Ruston High School standout Brandon Green made history yesterday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon where he won a national championship in the men's triple jump with a mark of 55-2. The junior became only the second Oklahoma University jumper ever to win an NCAA championship in the event.
The only other Sooner to win a national championship in the triple jump is school record holder Will Claye, who won in 2009.
Green had some company on the podium as his teammate Floyd Whitaker finished as the runner-up with a jump of 53-10.25.
It was the second national championship of the day for Sooners, who finished sixth in team competition.
"It means everything," Green said with his trademark smile when reporters asked him what the NCAA win means to win a national championship. "It's been a long journey after coming up short the past two years. It feels good to finally do what I came to do."
Teammate Ralford Mullings won the discus, defeating the world record holder-California's Mykolas Alekna, on his final throw of the competition with a toss of 227-3. With the throw, Mullings shattered his own school record, broke a 33-year old NCAA Championship meet record, and became the No. 2 ranked discus thrower in NCAA history.
In high school, Green was coached by Scotlandville head coach Allen Whitaker.
"He did what he said he was going to do," Whitaker wrote in a Facebook post on Friday night. "Most of all, he prayed and worked for it. Congratulations, B.J. The five-time LHSAA triple champion is now the NATIONAL CHAMPION."