TYRON STEWART

WACO — DeSoto Roadrunners field events specialist Tyron Stewart kicked off the summer track season with a victory in the triple jump during the USA Track and Field South Region Club Championships on Saturday, June 17, at Hart-Patterson athletics complex.

Stewart, 16, covered a distance of 14.08 meters (46-feet-2½) in winning the gold medal.

DeJon, SAMAURA, VALERIE

COPPERAS COVE — A mixture of brains, beauty and brawn — bedecked in trendy clothes and designer handbags — Copperas Cove High School Lady Bulldawgs track and field standouts DeJon Griffin, left; Samaura Jacquot, center; and Valerie Hancock, right, evoked the sartorial flare and sophistication of Florence Griffith-Joyner on Friday afternoon, June 9, during the post-graduation, college letter-of-commitment signing ceremony at the CCHS Athletics Annex.

Griffin, a class 5A University Interscholastic League state qualifier in the shot put, will attend Northwestern Sate University (Louisiana) and pursue an academic course of study that will prepare her for a career in fashion design.

Jacquot, who qualified for the Region II-5A meet in the triple jump, committed to Texas Lutheran University. She aspires to enter the medical profession and become a heart surgeon.

Hancock, the class 5A state champion in the high jump with a clearance of 5-feet-9, will attend Texas State University. Her aspirations include reaching all-American status in the high jump as a college freshman and becoming a physical therapist.

CHRIS GILLIS

JUMP TEXAS: So, Chris, when did you first begin participating in organized athletics, particularly the jumps, and what interesting moments do you recall from the early years?

CHRIS GILLIS: I've always played football. Started when I was in fourth grade. That was my first love. My teammates always tried to get me to come out for track, but I thought it was too much running. Everybody that knows me knows I'm not the biggest fan of running. Finally, I just went out and tried it in middle school and had a lot of fun with it. I really fell in love with track the summer after eighth grade, when I ran summer track. At one of the meets, my best friend got hurt long jumping so I jumped in his name and ended up winning the meet. When I got to high school, my first event was the high hurdles and coach would not let me jump until I continued to beg him. The first time he saw me jump he realized he almost made a big mistake.

JUMP TEXAS: You placed well at the recent NCAA regionals in Austin, finishing second and jumping 8.04 meters, 26-feet-4.5. Are you aiming for the school record of 26-feet-9.5 held by BU Assistant Head Coach Danny Brabham?

CHRIS GILLIS: Yes, the school record is a goal of mine, but for the NCAA meet my main goal is to go out and perform well and hopefully come out with a win. If I just focus and jump the way I know I can, the record will fall. JUMP TEXAS: How does it feel being a legitimate contender for gold at the upcoming NCAA outdoors meet?

CHRIS GILLIS: It feels great, but I can't let all the talk and predictions go to my head. I am trying to stay focused on what I have to do. I try not to worry where I or anybody else is picked to finish in the meet. I can only worry about me …. Anything can happen on any day so seeds or predictions do not mean to much to me.

JUMP TEXAS: Texas collegians lead the long jump list on the national scene — 1, 2, 3 — Fabrice LaPierre (Texas A&M), Reggie Lazenby (Stephen F. Austin) and you (Baylor). This is positive for the long jump. What should Jump Texas readers expect at the NCAA meet?

CHRIS GILLIS: It will be exciting to see how well Texas represents at the NCAA meet. Everybody should expect a great competition and a lot of good jumping.

JUMP TEXAS: LaPierre and Lazenby, respectively, are from Australia and Texas. You're originally from New Jersey - commonly referred to as New Jeruz — and, in the 1980s, your home state produced siblings Carl and Carol Lewis, two phenomenal jumpers who competed in college track and field under the tutelage of Tom Tellez at the University of Houston. Describe what it means to you to continue the New Jersey-Texas connection in the new millennium through your affiliation with Baylor University and the legendary Clyde Hart?

CHRIS GILLIS: I really never thought much about a New Jersey - Texas connection. I just wanted to go to a school where I felt I could progress. Many athletes, especially track athletes, come to Texas or anywhere in the south because the weather is so much better year round.

JUMP TEXAS: Have any words of advice or quick tips for aspiring youth jumpers?

CHRIS GILLIS: Never give up. That's the biggest mistake a lot of young people and even older people make. There are going to be times where you feel like there is nothing else you can do. Have confidence in yourself and keep working hard.

JUMP TEXAS: Who are your favorites to win the women's high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault at the NCAA meet?

CHRIS GILLIS: Aw, Man, you going to put me on the spot like that. Well, I’d have to go with (Destiny) Hooker in the HJ. If Marshavette is healthy, I pick her in the LJ. I think Erica McClain will show up at NCs in the TJ and Chelsea Johnson (in the) PV.

JUMP TEXAS: What about the men's high jump, triple jump and pole vault? CHRIS GILLIS: HJ — Manson, TJ — Curry, PV — Skipper ….

JUMP TEXAS: Any predictions for the men's long jump?

CHRIS GILLIS: I predict the best man on that day will win.

JUMP TEXAS: Got any shout-outs to give?

CHRIS GILLIS: First, I have to give all my glory to God, (and then) everybody that has been with me through the good and bad times.

JUMP TEXAS: Please share a few positive thoughts Jump Texas readers can use for inspiration.

CHRIS GILLIS: If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it.