SIUE senior La’Derrick Ward finished eighth his first U.S. Track and Field appearance Friday at the Pan-American Festival in Mexico City.
Ward, who finished last season holding the longest NCAA Division I long jump, made it to the finals where he jumped 7.54 meters.
“I am very satisfied with La’Derrick’s performance at the Pan-American Festival,” said SIUE Jumps Coach Iliyan Chamov. “Making the finals at his first international event is a big statement.”
Ward will return to the States and gear up for the indoor track season which begins Dec. 7.
| Finish | Participant | Country | Distance |
| 1 | David Registe | Dominica | 8.08m |
| 2 | Jorge McFarlane | Peru | 8.01m |
| 3 | Yunior Diaz | Cuba | 7.83m |
| 4 | Jhamal Bowen | Panama | 7.79m |
| 5 | Emiliano Lasa | Uruguay | 7.77m |
| 6 | Raymond Higgs | Bahamas | 7.76m |
| 7 | Alvaro Cortex | Chile | 7.57m |
| 8 | La’Derrick Ward | USA | 7.54m |