RAMONTE JACKSON

ORLANDO — Seven-year-old long jumper Ramonte Jackson, a native of Mississippi, established a new primary boys record in his specialty on Wednesday, July 5, during the Amateur Athletic Union Club Track and Field Championships at the Disney Wide World of Sports athletics complex, posting a distance of 13-feet-4.

OMAR CRADDOCK

ORLANDO — Fifteen-year-old triple jumper Omar Craddock, a member of the Texas-based Jump Corps field events specialty training and scholastic education club, won the intermediate boys triple jump on Thursday, July 6, during the Amateur Athletic Union Club Track and Field Championships at the Disney Wide World of Sports athletics complex.

Craddock posted a distance of 47-feet-5 ¾ to set a new AAU Club T&F Championships record. He eclipsed the seven-year-old mark of 46-feet-2 ½ set in 1999 by Southeast Louisiana Road Runners triple jumper Quincy Seaberry.

JASMINE LEFFALL

LANCASTER — Inside Texas Track Motivation Board members ignited the buzz that made “Jasmine,” the North Texas seventh-grader, who long jumped 18-feet-6, a cyber-universal and household name.

In fewer than 24 hours, the precocious 13-year-old phenom catapulted from obscurity into the international athletics imagination, making a truly meteoric impact on the sport.

Photo of Jasmine Leffall Courtesy of RoJo

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Inside Texas Track

JUMP TEXAS: Congratulations on your monumental effort. Jumping 18-feet-6 is a phenomenal accomplishment.

JASMINE: Thank you.

JUMP TEXAS: How long have you been participating in track and field?

JASMINE: ... six or seven years ...

JUMP TEXAS: What did your teammates and classmates think about the jump?

JASMINE: They were shocked and proud of me.

JUMP TEXAS: Is there anything special you do to prepare for competition before or on the day of a meet?

JASMINE: I jog, stretch, run drills and do a couple of build ups.

JUMP TEXAS: Mr. and Mrs. Leffall, in what ways were the two of you instrumental in literally helping Jasmine soar to such heights?

MRS. LEFFALL: Mr. Leffall coaches her, and we both provide a lot of support.

JUMP TEXAS: How did your friends and family respond to the news of Jasmine's 18-foot-6-inch jump?

MRS. LEFFALL: The family was amazed, but knew she had it in her.

JUMP TEXAS: Did either of you ever compete in jumping events or other sports in school? How would you compare your athletic career as a youth to that of your daughter?

MR. LEFFALL: Yes, I competed in a variety of sports. I was very good at it, too. I hope that Jasmine becomes one of the greatest.

JUMP TEXAS: What do you foresee in track and field later this summer and perhaps even next year for Jasmine?

MR. LEFFALL: ... national title ...

JUMP TEXAS: What goals have you set for yourself in track and field, Jasmine?

JASMINE: ... to become nationally known ...

JUMP TEXAS: How about in the classroom? What are your best subjects and long-term scholastic goals?

JASMINE: ... language arts ...

JUMP TEXAS: Mr. and Mrs. Leffall, please share with other parents what you have done to instill a balanced appreciation of sports and scholarship, athletics and academics in your daughter.

MRS. LEFFALL: We have shown Jasmine that the world is at her fingertips as long as she manages her time well and remain dedicated.

JUMP TEXAS: Jasmine, is there anyone else you want to thank or give a big shout out for being supportive?

JASMINE: I would like to thank my former Lancaster Junior High School coach — Coach Taylor, and my present Permenter Junior High School coach in Cedar Hill, Texas, Coach Perry.

JUMP TEXAS: What departing words of positivity do you have to share with Jump Texas readers?

MR. LEFFALL : Look out for Cedar Hill Flames Track Club.

MRS. LEFFALL: Never lose your focus when you have your dream in sight.

JASMINE: Stay positive and keep your head up.

LaKadron Ivery

WACO — Nike combination sprinter-jumper LaKadron Ivery won the women's long jump on Saturday, June 17, during the USA Track and Field South Region Club Championships at Hart-Patterson athletics complex.