Orji leads historic jumping showcase at SEC finals

Georgia junior breaks American, collegiate triple jump records, along with long jump school record in first college competition with three 22-foot performers

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

It took just one attempt for Keturah Orji to take down a 22-year-old American record.

Two more memorable efforts at the SEC Indoor Championships solidified the Georgia junior as the greatest collegiate triple jumper of all-time.

In the first round Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., Orji broke both collegiate and American records with a mark of 46 feet, 11.75 inches (14.32m), the No. 3 mark in the world this year.

Suzette Lee of LSU, who competed internationally for Jamaica, held the collegiate record of 46-9 (14.25m) since 1997.

Shelia Hudson had boasted the American record of 46-8.25 (14.23m) since 1995.

Orji followed with another 46-11.75 (14.32m) on her second attempt, then concluded the competition with a sixth-round effort of 46-10.25 (14.28m), giving her three jumps that would have broken both the collegiate and American records on her way to winning a third consecutive SEC indoor title and fifth overall, including outdoor.

Orji, who now holds American and collegiate triple jump records indoor and outdoor, delivered a school-record long jump of 22-0.75 (6.72m) to place third in the first indoor collegiate competition to feature three 22-foot jumpers.

Kentucky senior Sha’Keela Saunders produced the No. 2 indoor performance in the world this year with her winning mark of 22-4.5 (6.82m) and Alabama senior Quanesha Burks elevated to a tie for No. 4 in the world by placing second with a leap of 22-2.25 (6.76m), with Orji at No. 7.

Saunders improved to a tie for No. 4 all-time among collegiate long jumpers, Burks was already eighth with her 22-3.75 (6.80m) from last year and Orji elevated to 13th.