UW's Henderson takes 17th in long jump

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Wyoming junior Ja'la Henderson came up short in her attempt to be the first Cowgirl to earn first team All-America honors in long jump in 48 years when she finished 17th at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

Henderson fouled twice, on her first and third attempts, and jumped 20 feet, 1 inch for her only fair mark. That was good enough for honorable mention All-American honors.

She needed to finish in the top nine to advance to the finals and in the top eight to be an All-American, and she knew she needed a jump in the high 20s, even possibly 21 feet, to get there.

"My approach was kind of off," said Henderson. "I was kind of stuttering when I got to the board."

In practice, Henderson said, she always counts her steps so she knows exactly how to approach the board.

"But, I mean, it kind of goes out the window when you're on the stage," she said. "So sometimes I drive too long, and when I get too close to the board, I overreact and panic and stutter. It throws my steps all off.

"I just know I've got some stuff to work on, and I'm going to just try harder for next season."

The improvement she needs to make is mostly in her head, she added.

"It's very mental," she said. "Most definitely. Knowing that you fouled the first jump, and then it's a lot of pressure on you because you have only three tries.

"Everything counts for jumps."

Henderson has another event to look forward to, Saturday's triple jump. She started competing in the triple jump this season because her 100-meter dash fell short in the Mountain West indoor finals in February.

Though it is her fourth month competing in the event, Henderson believes triple jump is her better event.

"My training is based on the long jump," said Henderson. "Throughout college and my whole life in particular, I have been a long jumper. So, it really correlates as to triple.

"I have positioned my body in the right places. That is the only reason why I am jumping so far, but other than that, I have a lot to work on and more potential to grow. So, I am excited for that."

Henderson has set four UW records in triple jump this season, most recently a jump of 44-3½ to win the NCAA West Preliminary last month in Sacramento, California.

She is looking forward on using Hayward Field's crowd to her advantage.

"I will be a lot better, more relaxed and ready to go," she said. "I am confident in the triple jump because it naturally comes to me.

"So, I will get the crowd more involved and more into what I am doing because I know that it is my better event."

Henderson will attempt to become the first Cowgirl All-American in triple jump. She enters the competition seeded third. She looks to break her school record for the fifth time this season and third consecutive meet Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

"People always discredit Wyoming," Henderson said. "I want to put a mark on my name for my school and let people know that we have a great program.

"I want to show the people that we have talent here."