By Bryce Dole
Three-time NCAA triple jump champion and American record holder Keturah Orji had never won a NCAA long jump final in her career. She did finish second in both the 2017 outdoor NCAAs and 2018 indoor NCAAs.
She finally turned the corner Thursday at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships when she won the long jump with a leap of 21 feet, 10 3/4 inches.
“I’m super excited. I think I’m happiest about this one because I’ve never won long jump,” Orji said. “It’s taken a lot more work and effort for this win, so I’m really happy with my performance.”
The victory capped Orji’s strongest season so far in the event. The difference in finally attaining a title, she said, was her consistency.
“Most of my jumps were over 6.60 (meters) this year,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a year doing that.”
Three months ago at NCAA indoors, Orji and teammates Tara Davis and Kate Hall achieved the first podium sweep in the history of women’s long jump, and they had high expectations going into the outdoor season.
This time, Hall failed to make the finals after having struggles with her steps, and Davis took fifth place with a jump of 21-3 ¼ in her first NCAA Outdoor long jump competition, which began only 30 minutes after her preliminary heat in the 100-meter hurdles.
“This outdoor season has been a little more of a struggle for us,” said Orji. “But we’re still looking to do what we can to get the team title. Everyone has been working really hard and I’m going to miss them a lot because this is my last collegiate meet.”
This victory gives Orji pride and confidence going into Saturday’s triple jump competition, where she will jump for her fourth consecutive NCAA title.
“I’m definitely going to have a lot of confidence going in,” said Orji. “I need to score those 10 points for the team, so I’m really excited. It’s going to be special.”
After that, it’s on to a professional career.
“I honestly think I’m going to focus more on triple jump,” said Orji. “But I definitely will continue to long jump a little bit once I go pro.”
