Two-time indoor triple jump national champion to compete in Birmingham

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Tori Franklin, the two-time women's triple jump winner at the USATF Indoor Championships, was informed Thursday she would be competing March 3 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, U.K., after not originally being named to the American roster.

Franklin had a lifetime-best jump of 46-5.25 (14.15m) to repeat as champion in New Mexico, but didn't achieve the World Indoor qualifying standard of 46-11.25 (14.30m).

Since only three women in the world this year had achieved the standard, with only two of them scheduled to compete in Birmingham since Georgia senior, world leader and American record holder Keturah Orji is focused on the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships on March 9-10, the IAAF decided to invite additional athletes with 14-meter jumps to help fill the field. Up to 16 athletes can compete in the long jump, triple jump and shot put at World Indoors.

Franklin ranks ninth in the world this year. She placed 14th at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in August in London with a mark of 46-0.25 (14.03m).

Since the women's triple jump was added to the World Indoor schedule in 1993, Americans have captured one medal, a bronze by Tiombe Hurd in 2001.