What led Central Lafourche track star Ke’yona Gabriel to pick TCU over SEC colleges?

Ke’yona Gabriel had hats from six major college track and field programs on the table before her signing ceremony in the Lockport Recreation Center on Thursday.

The Central Lafourche state champion in the long jump and triple jump was deciding between Mississippi State, Auburn, UNLV, Kansas, TCU and Texas A&M.

When it was time to make a pick, Gabriel chose TCU, a Fort Worth, Texas-based school in the Big 12.

“I’m very excited. I’ve worked hard for this,” Gabriel said. “I know with the coaching staff there and the support of my team, I think I will be great at TCU.”

Gabriel said she picked TCU because of the relationship developed with jumps coach Shawn Jackson, who has helped the Horned Frogs claim 16 All-America honors in the triple jump and high jump along with three NCAA titles and seven Big 12 titles.

Jackson, a former Louisiana Tech assistant coach, was also the college coach of Chelsea Hayes, who qualified for the long jump at 2012 London Summer Olympics. Hayes has been a mentor for Gabriel and attended her signing.

“I loved the coaching staff, the team and the tight-knit community,” Gabriel said. “I really think it’s the best place for me. I think my new coach (Jackson) will better my skills that I have and bring me to the next level.”

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Mark Smith, who is Gabriel’s stepfather and jumps coach, said she was sold on TCU after meeting with Jackson.

"We took her all the way around the country for visits. When she found a home, she knew it was TCU," Smith said. "All of the offers were great, especially to the SEC schools. There wasn’t too much that separated these schools but the TCU jump coach made her feel comfortable. She brought into what he was saying. She think he can take her to the next level.”

Gabriel has the state’s best mark in the triple jump at 41 feet, 8.75 inches and in the long jump at 19-6.5 this season according to la.milesplit.com.

She won the LHSAA Class 5A state championship in both events as a junior last season and is the favorite to win it again.

“I just hope to work hard as I am now, stay determined, put my team first and be the best athlete I could be,” Gabriel said. “Hopefully I can break the state’s long jump record composite and the triple jump record. Hopefully I can get that and bring another state title to the bayou.”

April Smith, Gabriel’s mother, said she has battled hamstring injuries during her career.

“She works so hard day in and day out,” Smith said. “To finally see her get rewarded is excellent. I’m so proud of her. She’s overcome a lot to get here, but she never gave up."

Joe Riley, who was Gabriel's AAU coach for the Tri-City Flyers, said she will excel at TCU.

“It’s a little natural ability, but what puts her over the top is her technique,” Riley said. “All of those hours that she put in. It’s not just running down the track and jumping into the sand. It’s perfecting the take off the board. It’s perfecting her landing. It’s perfecting how she positions herself in the air before I land. It’s technique and talent that goes with it but she’s worked hard for everything she’s got.”

Reach Chris Singleton at 985-857-2213 or chris.singleton@houmatoday.com and on Twitter @courierchris.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: LHSAA track: Ke'yona Gabriel of Central Lafourche signs with TCU