Final Results - Triple Jump

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Competing in her third consecutive NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, junior Jessica Matthews (Monroe, Ga.) placed 15-of-21 in the triple jump on Saturday, May 23.

Competing in the second flight, her initial jump of 11.64-meters had her in seventh place before the remainder of the flight made their jumps. Her second jump would come in at 11.62-meters before she topped out at 11.76-meters in her third and final attempt. That distance would not be enough to advance her to the final nine individuals competing for a national championship.

Her best distance this season was 12.07-meters and her career-high is 12.27-meters (set last season). The latter, had she accomplished it at the Championships, would have placed her eight overall in the field. The winning distance by Antqunita Reed of Pittsburg State (Kan.) was 13.06-meters and the top three competitors all hit at least a mark of 13.00. The final qualification distance was 12.20 in order to advance.

The 15th place finish is one better than last year when she was 16th in the country (12.08-meters) and trails her freshman outing at the nationals when she was 11th with a jump of 12.08-meters. She is the only student-athlete in the history of the women's track & field program to make three straight NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships and will return for a fourth attempt next year.

Matthews performance not only wraps up the outdoor track season, it also completes the 2014-15 season for Clayton State Athletics.

CLAYTON STATE WOMEN'S COMPETITORS
Jessica Matthews – Triple Jump (15-of-21, 11.76m)