(03/13/10)

  ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Freshman jumper C.J. Griggs (Cedar Lane/Van Vleck HS) became the first Texas A&M-Kingsville indoor track and field athlete to earn All-America honors since 2006 on Saturday at the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships hosted by Adams State College.

Griggs qualified for the national meet in both the long jump and triple jump. On Friday, he competed in the long jump and took 10th place with a leap of 22-0.75. It was thought that the long jump would be his best chance for a medal, but he came back ready to jump on Saturday.

In the triple jump, Griggs fouled on his first attempt, went 48-0 on his second attempt and fouled on his third attempt. Nine jumpers advanced to the finals and Griggs was in eighth place. In the finals, he beat his season best with all three jumps. He put together a three jump series of 49-3.5, 48-10.25 and 49-3.75. He moved up one spot in the standings to seventh place. The top eight finishers are given All-American status.

Griggs is the first All-American for head coach Ryan Dall at Texas A&M-Kingsville.  He also broke the school indoor triple jump record held by Harrison Carrington since 1992 at 49-0.
####
pr10101-smm