15-year-old freshman sets ridiculous female record with 21-foot long jump
Over the years there have been many track and field phenoms. A number of them have been excellent leapers, excelling in the high jump, long jump or triple jump.
None have become so dominant, so fast as Courtney Corrin.
Corrin, a freshman standout for Studio City (Calif.) Harvard-Westlake High, became the first ever freshman to clear 21 feet in the long jump en route to a victory in the event at the USA Track and Field World Youth Trials, which were held in Edwardsville, Ill.
If that 21-foot mark doesn’t blow you away on its own, consider this: The leap was the second time this Spring that she set an all-time freshman record; as MaxPreps noted, she cleared 20-feet 11-inches early in the Spring season.
Corrin’s new record was also far enough for a national record for any leaper aged 15 or younger, not to mention a top-15 leap across all age groups all-time in USA Track & Field sanctioned competition, not to mention one that comes within just more than three feet of the all-time world record. Her record leap also earned her a spot on the U.S. national team for the forthcoming World Youth Championships in Ukraine.
As one might expect, Corrin was plenty excited about her rather monumental accomplishment when interviewed at the event by the Los Angeles Daily News, though she also gave a bit of insight into how her competitiveness has helped make her the athlete she is.
"For right now, I'm just happy I finally jumped 21,” Corrin told the Daily News. “I feel fulfilled. It's like a weight has been lifted off. I love jumping 20 feet, but after a while it gets repetitive.
"It's only a matter of jumping one inch more, but it feels like a foot, it was so far away. Now it motivates me to try to do better the next time. Even if I had won, but I didn't jump 21, I wouldn't have been happy because this is what I've been working for all year. As soon as I jumped 20, I wanted to jump 21. Now, it's on to 22."
That last phrase -- “Now, it’s on to 22,” -- should send a shiver down the spine of any other competitor with designs on a long jump crown in the near future. With Corrin on the case and plowing ahead, there may not be much room for anyone else atop any medal stands in the near future.
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