GREENSBORO, NC – Norwich high school freshman, Eric Conant, a long jumper and sprinter on the varsity outdoor track and field team, has made the trip with his family to North Carolina for the New Balance Outdoor Track and Field National Tournament.
Conant, who posted a stellar 2016 freshman season with the Tornado, would make his way to the state qualifier meet held in Vestal earlier this year, in the 100 and 200 meter dashes, as well as the long jump and his 4x100 team.
However, while in Vestal would fall short of his admitted goals, failing to pick up a qualifying jump or time to continue on to the New York State Championship.
Conant would however be granted an additional chance at reaching some goals, as his best jump in the long jump during the 2016 season of 19’4” has qualified him for a spot in the Outdoor Nationals Championships for freshman.
“I didn’t think I’d make it, I honestly thought he (Norwich Head Coach Shaun Horan) was messing with me at first,” said Conant. “He came up to me in school and said ‘hey guess what, you made it for freshman nationals’. I was like ‘are you serious?’”
Conant who will be relying on his training and coaching throughout the season as he has made the trip south, and will be looking for a personal best in the jumps, at the championships.
“I want to place, I want to get top three. I’ll definitely get 19’, but I want to get 20’,” said Conant.
This New Balance Championships will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary, and just last year the meet gathered some 5,400 athletes from 46 states all across the country. The competition will be fierce, as Conant will battle with some of the nations other top freshman jumpers for a place on the podium.
When ask if long jump was his favorite event thus far in his high school athletic career Conant answered, “Long jump is up there; I wouldn’t really consider it my favorite. But I don’t even have a favorite; I love to do it all. I just enjoy track, it is hard to explain it. It’s fun, it gives me something to do, and I’m good at it.”
Conant as he is just a freshman at NHS, is not near enough to break the high schools record, but it is a goal he has set at a young age. The current record, 22’0.25” is held by Jesse Prosser and was tied by Patrick Taylor.
While the New Balance Outdoor Track and Field freshman long jump record could not be found, the winner in last year’s championship was Austin Kratz who landed his best jump for the win at 21’2.75”.
Conant admittedly explained that he must stay composed at such a big meet as he works on putting together a complete jump, landing his board successfully.
“I am a little bit nervous actually, I don’t have a coach here and this is a huge national meet,” said Conant. “I look at down at the board and I hesitate sometimes. I wont do that here, I want to get 20’. I am ready.”
Conant will begin his freshman jumps at around 11 a.m., Friday June 17.
To follow along with each jump, follow my Twitter account at: @evesuncameron or look for a follow-up article in The Evening Sun, on how Conant performs on the big stage coming this Monday, June 20.
Eric as well as his Norwich track and field varsity coaches would like to thank the Norwich community for their support thus far.