By Zac Neel
With his name atop the Prefontaine Classic leaderboard thanks to a world-leading jump of 57 feet, 3 inches, American record holder Christian Taylor stood near the runway preparing for his sixth and final triple jump attempt, while his former University of Florida teammate, Will Claye, took one last crack at the top spot.
After a roar from the Hayward Field crowd, Taylor looked up to see Claye prancing out of the sand pit onto the track, where he narrowly missed a pack of steeplechasers passing by. He pumped his fists, waved his arms and bowed for the crowd. Claye had just taken the lead with a final jump of 57-7 1/2.
Also watching was Omar Craddock, a fellow University of Florida alum, who was sitting safely in third place at 56-3 1/4.
“Once Will hit that jump and started showing out to the crowd, I just shook my head and knew something stupid was about to happen,” said Craddock. “All of us Gators are brothers, but at the same time, we love to compete. After that, I knew that Christian wasn’t finished.”
Taylor took off down the runway and reclaimed his spot at the top of the jumping world with a winning distance and new world-lead of 58-3 1/4.
“Will … he gets me a little excited, I guess,” said Taylor with a smile. “At first he was coming out of the pit and staying quiet. But once he starts running around, it gets me a little frustrated, and I used that to my advantage.
“I’ve been jumping with these guys since my Florida days, and I’m the oldest one in the group, so I kind of have to play that big brother role sometimes.
As part of a new format put in place by the IAAF, only the top four jumpers advanced after the first three attempts took place. Taylor, Claye and Craddock stood among the final four along with Alexis Copello of Cuba, who finished in fourth at 55-5 3/4.
Former world-leader Dong Bin of China missed the final cut, finishing fifth at 55-2 1/4.
The new format has caused a stir with some fans and athletes, who are urging the sport to go back to its old ways, where the whole field is allowed to jump six times. The new format was instituted prior to the U.S. and world indoor championships in Portland earlier this year in order to speed up the action and adapt to a television audience.
Some athletes are upset about the changes, but a few are willing to see how the new rules will play out in the sport.
“For me, I am just excited when they are trying new things to better the sport,” said Taylor. “It is definitely different, and it changes the strategy you use going into each meet, but you have to be smart about it.”
“If track and field can get on TV, though, then I have to support that. If these are the kind of efforts it takes to get on NBC or ESPN, then I will always back it up.”
