Senior member of SIUE’s men’s track and field team, La’Derrick Ward of Alorton was chosen as the U.S. representative in the men’s long jump for the Pan American Festival in Mexico City, Mexico Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16.
The USATF team will include one male and one female for 11 different events in throws, jumps, and distance. The selection is based on a ranking order list.
“To have La’Derrick chosen as the USA representative in the men’s long jump is great exposure for him and SIUE,” said Head Coach Eileen McAllister. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for him to gain exposure to international competition.”
Ward posted a school record of 8.0 meters (26 feet, 3 inches) at the SIUE Gateway Invite last April. Ward’s 8-meter jump also was an NCAA Division I best for the past season.
Ward saw tremendous success in the 2013-2014 indoor and outdoor seasons at SIUE. He was named the Ohio Valley Conference Track and Field Athlete of the Year as voted on by the league’s coaches. He won the long jump at three different events: the SIUE Gateway Invite, the OVC Outdoor Championships and the Cougar Classic. He also posted SIUE’s best finish in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships with a fourth-place in the long jump.
Ward competes on Friday at 5 p.m. CST.