-
Columbia's Seth Stockton placed second in the triple jump at the Class 3A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)
GAINESVILLE — Seth Stockton was on the verge of a state title.
Then Kyvon Tatham “pulled a rabbit out of his hat.”
Tatham saved his best for last, leaping 14.91 meters on his final attempt to beat Columbia's jumper and win the Class 3A state title in the triple jump on Friday at the University of Florida’s James G. Pressley Stadium. The Pembroke Pines Charter standout's mark beat Stockton’s 14.50, which led the event up until Tatham’s final attempt.
“It was a little devastating, but at the same time we all came there to work hard at what we do,” Stockton said. “He told me he was going to make me work for it, and he did.”
Stockton’s 14.50m tied his school record, which he set at the Region 1-3A meet earlier this month.
“I didn’t feel comfortable the whole time,” Columbia head coach Lawrence Davis said. “14.50 was his best but I was thinking he might have to go further than he’d gone before. So I was on pins and needles the whole time. I couldn’t celebrate until that last jump was made, and I’ll be darn if (Tatham) didn’t pull a rabbit out of his hat.”
The jumpers had to wait out a three-plus hour weather delay before finally hitting the mat for the event. Stockton had the lead after the first jump, going 14.13m while Tatham registered 14.04m.
The next leap saw Stockton go 14.50m, which comfortably put him in front. Tatham jumped 14.29m and 14.16m on his next two tries while Stockton’s third jump came in at 14.16m.
That’s when Tatham told Stockton he was going to make him work for the state title. The senior standout proceeded to shock everybody with a huge improvement to 14.91m to snatch away the gold medal right at the end.
Stockton, though, still had one more jump. One more shot.
“I was thinking I’ve got to give it my all,” Stockton said. “He said he was going to make me work for it and I was ready to work for it.
Unfortunately, Stockton’s dreams of a state title came up short in his junior season. Stockton jumped only 14.20m on his final attempt, giving Tatham the gold.
“To be honest, I think I just didn’t have the form and technique to do it,” Stockton said. “I still need to work on my technique. It’s still a work in progress, but next year I’m going to come back stronger than ever. I just need to work more on my technique, my form, my speed, where my measurements are, my takeoff point — I need to work on all that to be able to jump what I can jump.”
No other jumper was close to the two athletes. Sumner’s Gregory Smith placed third at 14.20m.
It was Tatham’s second state title of the day. He also won the long jump.
“I told him he got beat by a two-time state champion who pulled a rabbit out of his hat,” Davis said. “There was nothing he could do about it. He led the whole event and a guy just pulled one out of his hat.”
Luckily for Stockton, Tatham is set to graduate. That makes him the favorite to win it all next season.
Stockton made a huge improvement from 11th at state as a sophomore. As a senior he plans to win it all.
“I feel great,” Stockton said. “Last year coming in 11th and this year going straight to second, it’s a huge progress. I’m proud of myself and I’m proud of how far I’ve come since last year. It’s huge for me and I’m very proud of myself.
“My expectation is to come back stronger (next year) and take that first.”