Lavell Handy competed in the triple jump on Saturday at the
NCAA Track & Field Championships and the junior from Hampton, Va. finished
in 12th place in the event as the George Mason track and field team
completed its season in Des Moines, Iowa.
Handy's best jump was 15.71 meters, which he reached on his
third and final jump. The top nine advanced from the prelims to the finals and
Handy would have needed a jump of 16.13 meters to be in the top nine. His
personal best is 16.25 meters.
Handy was seeded 14th in the event, which was the
final field event contested in the four-day championships. Only three
competitors bested Handy's personal best of 16.25, but two of those cleared
17.00 meters. Christian Taylor of Florida leapt 17.80 meters, a new meet and
stadium record, and .12 shy of tying the collegiate record. Will Claye of
Florida finished second with a jump of 17.62 meters.
