Orji follows fourth NCAA Division 1 title with U.S. three-peat, victory over world leader and American record holder Franklin

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

DES MOINES – Keturah Orji lets her mind do the work and has her jumping speak for itself.

For the first time since her freshman year at Georgia, Orji entered a championship competition as an underdog, having Tori Franklin surpass her American triple jump record May 12 in France with a world-leading performance.

But that didn’t faze Orji, who put her three phases together in the third round to produce a wind-legal effort of 47 feet, 10.50 inches (14.59m) to set meet and facility records Thursday at the USATF Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium.

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The mark not only secured a third consecutive national outdoor title – making Orji the first female athlete to win three in a row in the triple jump since Shani Marks (2006-08) – but it followed her fourth straight NCAA Division 1 Outdoor crown May 9 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

“I’m really happy with my performance (Thursday). I’ve been talking about consistency a lot throughout the years I’ve been at Georgia and I’m just happy to jump over 14.50m again and I’m going to hope to continue this consistency,” Orji said. “It’s nice to have Tori here competing and we’re just looking to bring a lot more attention to it.”

Franklin, who eclipsed the American record with a mark of 48-8.25 (14.84m) in Guadeloupe, placed second Thursday with a wind-aided sixth-round leap of 47-7.75 (14.52m).

“I knew it was close. Of course, I was hoping I would have had it, but it’s alright,” said Franklin, a two-time indoor national champion.

“It’s a little disappointing, but obviously I can’t complain too much because I still jumped 14.52m and I’m still out there being competitive.”

Orji improved to 9-0 in her career against Franklin in head-to-head competitions, including three matchups this year, along with April 21 at the Mt. SAC Relays and the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

“We like to compete,” said Georgia coach Petros Kyprianou, who has continued to train Orji during her transition to the professional ranks, including signing with agent Howie Keflezighi.

“This is amazing. Just the fact that she showed up here and maintained her composure and competed against the American record holder and having Tori fighting for the win, she was determined and she’s been working really hard, and 14.59 is a very respectable jump.

“It shows she’s very consistent. I know she wants to PR and I know she wants her record back, but at the end of the day, she’s competing against the best in the world right now and she came out a winner.”

After Franklin set facility and meet records in the opening round with a 47-6.25 (14.48m) effort, Orji took the lead for good with her third jump.

“I just tried to extend my hop because usually when my hop is big, everything else just falls into place,” said Orji, the most decorated female field event athlete in Division 1 history with eight career national championships.

“This one is a little bit better because I was definitely pushed, so I’m happy I was able to respond to the competition.

“I think there’s always going to be more incentive when you lose a record. I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season and continuing this, but it’s nice to have someone there pushing you.”

Franklin had one last opportunity to secure her first outdoor championship, but her final jump came up just short, despite a big reaction from the crowd. And for the first time in her career, Orji could finally claim the prize money that comes with being a national champion.

“I thought it would be bigger because the crowd went ‘Oooooh!’ so I was like ‘OK, I probably have to respond.’ But luckily it wasn’t, so I was able to get the win,” Orji said. “During the competition, I thought about how I could actually win prize money here. There wasn’t pressure, because when you put pressure (on yourself), you usually end up not winning the money. I just try to stay relaxed. I’ve had to turn it down a lot of times. I’ve kind of added up some money and I’ve lost a lot of money (staying) in the NCAA.”

Orji is looking at potential Diamond League competitions June 30 in Paris, July 5 in Lausanne and July 13 in Rabat, but hasn’t received final confirmations. She expects it won’t be the last time this summer that she and Franklin cross paths.

“It’s really exciting. I know we’re bringing energy and maybe some fans to the women’s triple jump, so I’m happy about that,” Orji said. “I hope we can continue to go up against each other.”