June 8, 2013
Eugene, Ore. – Georgia Tech junior Jonathan Gardner finished seventh overall Saturday in the men’s triple jump, earning All-America honors at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon’s campus.
Complete NCAA Triple Jump Results
The junior from Chicago, Ill., made a career-best leap of 15.92 meters (52 feet, 2 ¾ inches) on his third jump, after recording distances of under 14 meters on his first two attempts, to place fourth in his flight and qualify for the finals. The top nine individuals moved onto the finals, where his jump held up.
Gardner had placed 11th at the NCAA East Regional with a leap of 15.36 meters (50-4.75) to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships.
Florida’s Omar Craddock won the event with a jump of 16.92 meters (55-6 ¼), followed by Manuel Ziegler of Memphis, Floyd Ross of New Mexico, Cordairo Golden of Middle Tennessee State, Cameron Parker of TCU, Imani Brown of Alabama, Gardner and Klyvens Delaunay of Iowa.
In earlier action this week, sophomore Brandon Lasater placed 22nd in the 800 meters with a time of 1:54.27 on Wednesday. On Friday, senior Jhanelle McLeod (12.60 meters/41-4.25) and junior Julienne McKee (12.74 meters/41-9.75) finished 14th and 22nd, respectively, in the triple jump.
