Stillman alum Jeff Henderson advances to Olympic Trial finals

Steffin McCarter from University of Texas was second after leading the field with 8.10m on his first jump and choosing not to jump again. University of Florida alum Marquis Dendy was second at 8.09m on his second jump. LSU’s JuVaughn Harison, who had the top mark of the year entering the trials, was fourth at 8.06m on his second jump. Rutgers alum Corey Crawford was fifth at 8.03m. Henderson, the top five and 11th-place Isaac Grimes of Florida State (7.88m) each reached the Olympic Trials with an Olympic standard mark of 8.22m or better this season.

Among those competing but failing to advance to the finals were 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Will Claye, who finished 24th at 7.18m, and fellow 2012 Olympian and Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who finished 18th in the qualifying round with a 7.57m jump.

Henderson is the only men’s long jumper in the trials who completed his collegiate career at the NCAA Division II level and the only graduate of a historical black college or university (HBCU).  A native of McAlmont, Arkansas, Henderson won two national titles for Stillman College at the 2013 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field championships: the 100-meter dash (10.18) and long jump (7.81m). He was also runner-up in the 2013 championships in the 200-meter (20.65) to earn 28 points as High Point Athlete of the Meet and help Stillman to a program-best ninth-place team finish. Henderson earned his bachelor’s in business administration in 2013.

Qualifying Results
1. Jarrion Lawson (Unattached) 8.12m
2. Steffin McCarter (Texas) 8.10m
3. Marquis Dendy (Unattached), 8.09m
4. JuVaughn Harrison (LSU), 8.06m
5. Corey Crawford (Unattached), 8.03m
6. Rayvon Allen (Oklahoma), 8.02m
7. Jeff Henderson (Team Adidas), 8.02m
9. Trumaine Jefferson (Unattached), 7.98m
10. Allen Gordon (Mississippi), 7.93m
11. Isaac Grimes (Florida State), 7.88m
12. Damarcus Simpson (Unattached), 7.85m