Track and Field | 8/5/2022 7:26:00 PM
Minneapolis — University of Minnesota spotted its freshman Floyd Whitaker Junior finished his season with a fifth place at the U20 World Championships held in Cali, Colombia at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium. In the process Whitaker became the second-farthest triple jumper in the history of the program.
Whitaker’s final score of 16.01 m (52-6 1/4) came in his final attempt on Friday night in South America. After advancing through the qualifying round with a jump of 15.54 metres, Whitaker reached the second day of competition. In the final, Whitaker reacted to his second and third jumps after scratching his opening attempt to earn himself three more jumps in the final.
Whitaker’s 16.01m is significant in the history of the Gophers, now placing the rising number 2 in program history. The Claymonton, NJ, native is just the second gopher to eclipse 16 meters in the triple jump, joining Keita Cline, who did so in 1992.
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