The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by an anonymous donation, in appreciation of Coach Ron Allice.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
For the third year in a row, the Jordan Panthers made some noise at the CIF State Track & Field Championships, as junior Jamar Andrews held it down for J-Town with a third place finish in the boys’ triple jump.
Two years ago, it was sophomore Jordan Washington recording a second place finish in the 100 and a fourth place finish in the 200. Washington repeated those feats a season ago, while Daryll Stevens won an individual state title for the Panthers in the boys’ 300 hurdles.
Now it was Andrews’ turn to keep that momentum going, and he gave J-Town a Top 3 finish at the state meet for three years running.
“I felt pretty good, and I did what I could,” said Andrews of his performance. “I really wanted first place really bad, but you know, third place is all good. I trained for this and got a huge PR today, and yesterday as well. It’s huge, it just happened out of nowhere.”
Andrews had never cleared 47 feet in the triple jump, but threw down a 47-03.75 in Friday’s prelims to qualify fifth for the finals. He then went over 47 again with his second jump of the day on Saturday, clearing 47-00.25 to move into first place.
That mark would stand until the final round, when a pair of jumpers would overtake that mark, bumping Andrews down to third by less than five inches.
“I just kept on praying and praying and hoping for the best for myself,” Andrews said. “Just wanting to get out there and just show everyone who Jamar Andrews is. And I proved that today, and I also proved that yesterday as well. I’m pretty proud of myself. I appreciate my coaches and everything the help and all that. I came a long way.”
