Thursday, June 6
Austin, Texas
6:30 p.m.
TCU
vs
NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship
Mapaya Wins National Championship
6/7/2019 10:52:00 PM | Men's Outdoor Track, Women's Outdoor Track
The sophomore became a four-time All-American
AUSTIN, Texas – In the most dramatic fashion possible, sophomore Chengetayi Mapaya won the national championship in the triple jump Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Going into his sixth and final jump of the night, Mapaya was in third place after a jump of 16.94m (55-7) in his fifth attempt. On the final jump of the competition, Mapaya jumped 17.13m (56-2.5) passing up event leader Jordan Scott of Virginia (17.01m, 55-9.75) and winning the national championship. It was TCU's first national title in track and field since Ronnie Baker won the 60m dash in 2016.
"I had the advantage in that I was the last jumper so I actually knew what I had to jump," said Mapaya. "It was amazing. I've always wanted to jump 17 meters and 56 feet. I believed and I did it."
Mapaya, who earned First Team All-America Honors, shattered his own school record of 16.64m (54-7.25), set earlier this season at the National Relay Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. The Harare, Zimbabwe native is now a four-time All-American.
"Anytime you win an NCAA title it's an outstanding accomplishment," said TCU head coach Darryl Anderson. "It's a testament to the medical staff as well as coach Shawn Jackson who helped him grow to a elite jumper. It's great for TCU to have an NCAA champion and the way he did it was incredible."
With Mapaya's jump, he qualified for the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held Sept. 27 - Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar.
Going into his sixth and final jump of the night, Mapaya was in third place after a jump of 16.94m (55-7) in his fifth attempt. On the final jump of the competition, Mapaya jumped 17.13m (56-2.5) passing up event leader Jordan Scott of Virginia (17.01m, 55-9.75) and winning the national championship. It was TCU's first national title in track and field since Ronnie Baker won the 60m dash in 2016.
"I had the advantage in that I was the last jumper so I actually knew what I had to jump," said Mapaya. "It was amazing. I've always wanted to jump 17 meters and 56 feet. I believed and I did it."
Mapaya, who earned First Team All-America Honors, shattered his own school record of 16.64m (54-7.25), set earlier this season at the National Relay Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. The Harare, Zimbabwe native is now a four-time All-American.
"Anytime you win an NCAA title it's an outstanding accomplishment," said TCU head coach Darryl Anderson. "It's a testament to the medical staff as well as coach Shawn Jackson who helped him grow to a elite jumper. It's great for TCU to have an NCAA champion and the way he did it was incredible."
With Mapaya's jump, he qualified for the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held Sept. 27 - Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar.
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Men's Outdoor TrackRonnie Baker U.S. Olympic Trials 100m Finals
Monday, June 21
Big 12 Outdoor Champion 4x100 Relay
Thursday, May 20
Du Mapaya 2021 Big 12 Outdoor Championship
Sunday, May 16
Ronnie Baker 9.94 at Texas Relays
Monday, March 29
