RESULTS

Prairie View A&M junior triple jumper Preston Woodard made history this past weekend as he set a meet record at the Alex Wilson Invitational on the University of Notre Dame campus.

A native of Sweeny, Texas, Woodard solidified his second straight bid to the NCAA Indoor Championship with a personal-best and Alex Wilson Invitational record-breaking jump of 16.06 meters (52-8.25).  It took Woodard three attempts to break the record while holding off a variety of competitors from across the nation.

“Last week, we focused on his landing points as I didn't want him to lean back when he lands,” said head coach Chris Clay.  “Preston was jumping well initially but was landing on his elbows which pushed his marks back.  He applied what we worked on and had a successful weekend.”

As a result of his jump, Woodard finished the season tied for eighth nationally amongst NCAA Division I triple jumpers.  He's a lock to return to the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championship in Fayetteville, Ark. this weekend (March 8-9).  Last year in his first-ever NCAA Championship appearance, Woodard finished ninth overall and is looking to improve on last year's mark.

“He has to stay consistent in all three phases, stay balanced and stay strong through the entire jump,” said Clay.  “He should be familiar with the competition there and having experience in nationals last year should help.”