It doesn't matter where you start. In collegiate track and field, the only thing that matters is where you finish. For the second year in a row, Northwestern State University's Roy Morris, an Evangel Christian Academy product, will be finishing his season in Eugene, Oregon at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships thanks to a personal record 25-7.25
Morris was one of three long jumpers at Wednesday's NCAA East qualifier at the University of Kentucky who punched his ticket despite entering the meet outside of the national top 40 list.
"It feels great to make it back," Morris said. "I am very excited to get this chance again. I came into this meet focused on doing and best and making it to nationals again. To PR again this meet just pushes me to keep working. I always pray to God and Pop Pop to help me make it and finish strong. I focus only on myself and what I need to do."
Last year, Morris jumped 24-8.25 on a rainy day at the NCAA East qualifier to finish ninth and earn a trip to nationals.
"You know, we heard comments about how we were lucky and the weather helped him get in last year," NSU assistant coach Alex Wills said. "So we definitely had some motivation going in this year."
"But really, Roy is just a gamer who knows how to keep a level head when it's go time. For him to come out and jump over 25 feet on all three attempts was amazing to see. Now it's time to get back to work and see what we can do in Eugene."
Morris will have the opportunity to become the first Demon since Cody Fillinich to earn All-American honors in an outdoor open during his freshman and sophomore season. Fillinich was an All-American javelin thrower for the Demons in 2005 and 2006.
NC
It doesn't matter where you start. In collegiate track and field, the only thing that matters is where you finish. For the second year in a row, Northwestern State University's Roy Morris, an Evangel Christian Academy product, will be finishing his season in Eugene, Oregon at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships thanks to a personal record 25-7.25
Morris was one of three long jumpers at Wednesday's NCAA East qualifier at the University of Kentucky who punched his ticket despite entering the meet outside of the national top 40 list.
"It feels great to make it back," Morris said. "I am very excited to get this chance again. I came into this meet focused on doing and best and making it to nationals again. To PR again this meet just pushes me to keep working. I always pray to God and Pop Pop to help me make it and finish strong. I focus only on myself and what I need to do."
