JUMP TEXAS MAGAZINE

JACOB NORMAN

JUMP TEXAS: Share with Jump Texas your earliest memory of participating in track and field.

JACOB NORMAN: My first race was — ah — when I was a fifth grader at Jefferson Elementary, at the Little [Temple] Wildcat Relays. I was in the 100 [meters] and made it to the finals. I got first in the prelims and got beat [in the finals] by my cousin, Ramonce Taylor, the running back for the University of Texas [at Austin].

JUMP TEXAS: Have you always been a sprinter, or have you also tried jumping or other field events?

JACOB NORMAN: [Laughs] I did try the long jump thing. It was going pretty good in middle school. When I was in the seventh grade, I jumped 18 [feet], and when I hit eighth grade I was going 19 [feet]. When I got to high school, I couldn’t hit 20 or 21. Technique, coaching and hitting the board were the downfall of my long jumping career.

JUMP TEXAS: What notable long and/or triple jumpers in the state of Texas are you related to and what are their major claims to leaping fame?

JACOB NORMAN: Ramonce Taylor — that’s my first cousin. I’m also related to Grant Hightower. He goes to the University of Houston.

JUMP TEXAS: What is your most memorable high school sports moment?

JACOB NORMAN: Winning [the 100 meters at the] Texas Relays in 2004 is the most memorable [high school sports] moment [for me]. It was shocking: Took a while for it to sink in. Bradley Reed, who is at Texas Christian University; Adrian Peterson, who is at the University of Oklahoma; and Otis McDaniel, also of TCU, were all in that race.

JUMP TEXAS: What is your most memorable college freshman indoors track and field moment?

JACOB NORMAN: The most memorable [college freshman indoors track and field] moment was in the [Arkansas] Razorback Invitational. I won the prelims in 6.66 and came back in the finals and ran a 6.63. At that time, it was the fastest [60 meters] in the nation, second fastest in the world, and broke the Baylor University record held by Tre Gardner.

JUMP TEXAS: Regarding that 6.66 in the 60 meters ....

JACOB NORMAN: [Laughs] Yeah, I had to hurry up and come out of that real fast.

JUMP TEXAS: How do you mentally prepare for a race? What is your routine?

JACOB NORMAN: My routine is mainly to relax and focus on the beginning of my race. I go through about an hour and a half warm-up; keep my legs loose — head clear; put a smile on my face and keep a good attitude. That’s mainly how I prepare.

JUMP TEXAS: Which college subject is your favorite and why?

JACOB NORMAN: My favorite college subject would be religion. It’s very exciting, intriguing. It’s great to learn and research, to go back in history to view a person’s religion — how it evolved … up to now.

JUMP TEXAS: How does it feel to be the first Central Texan to win an indoors NCAA title?

JACOB NORMAN: It feels real good. I got to give the glory to God on that one. You can’t help but to be excited about it.

JUMP TEXAS: Jump Texas knows you’re a sprinter, but who, in your opinion, is the greatest long jumper, triple jumper, high jumper or pole vaulter — ever?

JACOB NORMAN: Of all times, the best would have to be Carl Lewis.

JUMP TEXAS: What do you think of that 47-foot-9-and-¾-inches triple jump by 14-year-old Killeen High School freshman Omar Craddock?

JACOB NORMAN: I’m like, “Wow!” Who cares about me, a kid that runs 6.56 [seconds in the 60 meters].

JUMP TEXAS: In El Paso there is a high school combination longer jumper/triple jumper, Tina Madry, who is poised to go 20 in the long jump and 40 in the triple jump, what do you think about that?

JACOB NORMAN: Her ability is phenomenal. That’s like someone going 43 [seconds] in the 400 and 9.9 [seconds] in the 100. To have the ability to do that is amazing.

JUMP TEXAS: Share anything else you’d like Jump Texas to know, or something you’d like to say to aspiring scholar athletes.

JACOB NORMAN: Whatever you do, keep it focused. Keep your drive. Don’t lose your goals, running on the track or jumping in the air. Keep your dream alive and don’t ever stop.