Claye Wins Jr. Pan Am Title

Aug. 2, 2009

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Oklahoma freshman Will Claye continued to add to his trophy case with a triple jump title Sunday at the 2009 Pan Am Junior Championships held in the country of Trinidad & Tobago. The Phoenix native wrapped up his first year of competition as a Sooner with his sixth major triple jump title after winning both the Big 12 indoor and outdoor titles, the NCAA Midwest Regional, the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Junior National Championships prior to Sunday's win.

Claye's winning jump of 54-4.50 (16.57) came on his opening attempt and topped the second-place finisher, Jean Rosa of Brazil (52-7.25/16.03), by over two feet. Claye's third attempt of 53-5.75 (16.30) would have captured the title over Rosa as well.

The win closed out one of the most impressive freshman seasons in track and field history as Claye ended the year as the world's top junior triple jumper with his top jump of 56-4.75 (17.19) at the NCAA Championships. Claye's name also sits a top the U.S. Junior record book in the event, one of many records the impressive youngster broke throughout the season including the Big 12 Championship meet record, the NCAA Midwest Regional record, the Oklahoma program record and the U.S. Junior National Championships meet record.

Claye wasn't the only first-year Sooner competing at the event as long jumper Alex Madkins finished fifth in the event with a top jump of 24-5.75 (7.46). Panama's Jhamal Bowen won the event with a distance of 25-10.75 (7.89). Madkins' American teammate, Marquis Goodwin came in second with a jump of 25-9.25 (7.85).

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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