Three Kats nationally ranked
3/20/2012 8:56:00 AM | Track & Field
Charles White, Henry Jordan and Matthew Viverette's names are all near the top of the rankings.
"It's a testament to the kids and how hard they're working," SHSU head coach Dave Self said. "It's great for the program because it's still national exposure, beginning of the season or not. Those are legitimate marks."
Senior Henry Jordan and sophomore Charles White are tied for third place nationally in the long jump after their first meet of competition. The pair jumped 24-6.25 to win the long jump in the dual meet against SFA.
"It's really fun, it's more fun than anything" said Jordan. "I've been ranked high early in the season before because it's early in the season but I've never been ranked high inside the top twenty or anything like that."
"It's not something I expect to hold onto for very long, but I'd really like to hold onto the top twenty-five. That's really my goal."
The jump is the best mark Jordan has ever achieved to open the outdoor season and is only three inches away from his all-time personal record.
"It was really nice to just get out there and be consistent," said Jordan. "I definitely have lofty goals. Conference is probably the most important. I'd definitely like to medal for sure, same with my other events the 4x100 and the 100 as well. I'd just like to go out and do the best I can and try to medal, but gold is definitely on my mind.
"As for marks I want to jump over twenty-five feet. I really think that's the best chance for me to get to nationals. I've already qualified for regionals so I would really like to get to the national meet."
For White, his 24-6.25 jump is a lifetime long jump personal best.
"It feels really good," said White. "I redshirted last year so it's my first outdoor meet in about a year and a half and I'm already up there, I'm already top five. It feels good to see my name up there."
White also knows that he can continue to improve.
"Reaching twenty-four has been my goal for a while and I did that," said White. "The next goal is to get to that twenty-five mark, but I also want to make sure I hit at least fifty-one or fifty-two in the triple jump this year.
"It's good because when I look at film there's so much more I can improve on."
Sophomore Matthew Viverette has also earned a place in the NCAA top ten. His ran the 110 meter hurdles in 14.21, the tenth best time in the nation so far.
"Honestly it's just numbers," said Viverette. "It's something great I can say later on down the road but it's very early."
Despite running his lifetime personal best, Viverette believes his best is yet to come.
"I felt like the race could have been a lot better, it could have been a lot smoother, more technical" he said. "There's a lot of room for improvement for me in that race.
"My goal is to run sub fourteen. It's going to take a lot of work, a lot of hard work. I believe I can do it, that's the first step. Taking my body there is the next step."
Viverette's mind is certainly on May and the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships.
Indoor Viverette entered the conference meet ranked second in the 60 meter hurdles and his time in the preliminaries could have advanced him to the finals. However, he was disqualified for a trail leg violation and lost the opportunity to run for a conference medal.
"Conference I'm looking forward to, I'm really looking forward to, because that's kind of like my redo of indoor since I got DQ'd," said Viverette. "If I could do well there I'd be happy. If I could place top three, that's probably my goal."
