THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9504020168
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
When Jesse Grant's left shoulder popped out of place during a high jump attempt Friday afternoon, it looked like the Deep Creek sophomore was through for the Colonial Relays.
Actually, he was just getting started.
Grant, jumping with a bum shoulder Saturday morning, soared two feet farther than he ever has, leaping 22 feet, 9 inches to win the long jump at the Colonial Relays at William and Mary's Zable Stadium.
``This was a nice surprise, I'm telling you,'' Deep Creek coach Richard Cox said. ``A very nice surprise.''
Cox didn't expect to see Grant at the stadium Saturday. But when Cox arrived, Grant was waiting for him.
``How's the shoulder?'' Cox said.
``I'm ready,'' Grant replied.
Grant didn't know how ready he was. He had never jumped farther than 20-7 before, but uncorked the 22-9 on his first jump of the final round.
``For a sophomore to jump almost 23 feet is incredible,'' Cox said. ``That's excellent. His mom was in shock.''
Cox was a bit taken aback himself. If anyone from Deep Creek was going to win the long jump, it figured to be Jason Waters, who was second in the state in the long jump during indoor season.
But Waters was taking the SAT on Saturday and didn't compete. That left Grant.
After separating his shoulder Friday, Grant returned home and started preparing for Saturday.
``I did my drills,'' he said. ``I was pumping my arms, trying to keep my shoulder loose. And I took a couple of Advil.''
Turns out, the forward arm swing involved in the long jump didn't bother Grant's shoulder. It was the backward movement in the high jump that was the problem.
Grant had his mother drive him to Williamsburg on Saturday morning, and Cox entered him in the long jump.
His winning jump was only a little short of Waters' best of 22-11 3/4.
``When Jason hears that, his jaw is going to drop,'' Cox said.
When Cox thinks about having Grant and Waters together, his mouth breaks into a smile. Deep Creek won the state indoor title this year, without Grant. The sophomore could make them that much deeper.
``When you have two 23-foot long jumpers, that's very strong,'' Cox said. by CNB