At the early Olympic Games in 1896, the triple jump event consisted of two hops and a jump, or better known as a hop, skip and a jump. These movements resulted in the establishment of the triple jump name, carrying on from generation to generation over the years.
The triple jump entails competitors springing along a runway before taking off from a wooden board, which is known as the “hop.” The next step is concluded on the other foot, known as the “skip,” ending with the “jump” into the sandpit for landing. The distance traveled from the wooden plank into the participants landing in the sand pit is measured and then used to determine one’s record and standing.
If an athlete steps beyond the wooden plank, it will qualify as a foul and will ultimately not be measured.
Each competitor has around six opportunities to jump in the championships competitions, but those who travel a shorter distance tend to be eliminated after three attempts. If the competitors are tied, the person to travel the longest distance in the next round is declared the winner.
This event has been around since the beginning years of the Track and Field program at WHS. As of the 2024 spring season, there are 10 participants in triple jump: 5 girls and 5 boys make up the team.
Coach Mirjana Banic, who coaches other events such as high jump and long jump explains, “We have some solid competitors in the event. Our jumpers have the ability to break some school records this year both individually and in the relay events We also look to be competitive in counties and sectionals. Watching the event is pretty cool.”
One of the program’s strongest competitors, senior Sofia Gesser, explained that she “got into triple jump because the coaches thought I may have potential in it. Triple jump has provided me with a chance to meet new people, break the school relay record and try something new that I’ve never done before.”
As WHS looks to get more participants in triple jump, the program is excited for the new possibilities in the next upcoming years.
