Crown Point senior Nicholas Ryan said there’s one way to know if it’s going to be a good day for his long jump.
But it’s not an exact science.
“Honestly, it’s just how your muscles are feeling that day,” he said.
When Ryan isn’t feeling his best, his jumps usually hover in the 22-foot range. But when he is feeling it, Ryan can have days like he did at the Kokomo Relays a week ago.
“That Saturday, my muscles were feeling great,” Ryan said. “I was ready to go.”
Ryan jumped 24 feet, 0.75 inches that day, putting him an inch away from the best long jump in Indiana this season and legitimizing his state meet aspirations.
He was a state qualifier last season, jumping 21-7 at the state meet to finish 17th. But at the meet in Kokomo, everything was set up perfectly for Ryan.
“When I got to the runway, there was a bit of a tailwind,” he said. “As I ran, I felt faster than I normally do. And their board was one of the best boards I’ve jumped off of in my high school career.”
Crown Point coach Keith Iddings kept an eye on Ryan while timing the sprint events, asking a nearby fan to alert him when it was Ryan’s turn. And Iddings knew Ryan was set up for a special performance.
“He was on,” Iddings said. “The wind had a little bit of an effect, but nowhere near as much of an effect as his confidence that day. Just look at the other jumps he had.”
Along with that career best, Ryan also produced jumps of 23-10, 23-9 and 23-6. His personal best before that meet was 22-5.
Ryan’s mission now is to re-create that feeling he had at the Kokomo Relays. And there’s one tip he picked up at last year’s state meet that he believes will help.
“I was one of the kids who just wore shorts and a tank top, thinking the sun wouldn’t affect me,” he said. “But everyone that was jumping farther than me was wearing sweatpants and a windbreaker. I’ve started doing that this year and it’s been doing a lot for keeping my muscles warm.”
Iddings laughed as Ryan shared that observation, pointing out that it was something Iddings had been trying to communicate to Ryan since last season. That message has now been received.
And Ryan also felt concentrating better can help him produce a similar performance in the 2018 postseason.
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“I just need to focus on myself,” Ryan said. “When I start jumping bad, I’ll think of too many things. I just need to go out there and do what I have to do.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Girls Track Top 5
With last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Lake Central (1)
2. Crown Point (X2
3. Merrillville (3)
4. Valparaiso (4)
5, LaPorte (5)
Girls Athlete of the Week: Griffith senior Trinity Austin won three events at Wednesday’s meet with Gavit and 21st Century, taking first in the 800 meters at 2:34, the 1,600 at 5:55 and the 3,200 at 13:20.63.
Boys Track Top 5
With last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Crown Point (1)
2. Merrillville (2)
3. Portage (3)
4. Chesterton (4)
5. Lowell (5)
Boys Athlete of the Week: Hobart senior Omena Onomakpome swept the hurdles events at Tuesday’s meet with Lowell and Kankakee Valley, winning the 110 meters in 15.64 and 300 in 43.91.