Cannon makes All-American in long jump and triple jump

Until his junior year in high school, Coffeyville Community College freshman Rashad Cannon had never competed on a school track team.  Three years later, Cannon achieved All-American status at the NJCAA Indoor National Track Meet held recently in Charleston, Illinois.

Cannon recorded a jump of 7.55 meters (24' 09.25") in the long jump, finishing just 2.5" behind national champion Jeff Henderson of Hinds Community College (Mississippi).  In the triple jump, Cannon jumped a distance of 14.39 meters (47' 02.50"). 

The top six finishers at the national meet are also named to the All-American team.  Cannon's marks in the long jump and triple jump also set new school records in both events. 

“I felt like I had a good chance to do well,” said Cannon.  “I just tried to do my best.”

Cannon, who signed originally with the Red Raven football team, is a graduate of Highland Springs High School in Richmond, Virginia.  He was the Virginia indoor state champion in the long jump his senior year.

Although he has less experience than many athletes he competes against, Cannon has a reputation for out-working other jumpers.

“He works extremely hard and he’s the most focused individual I’ve ever seen,” said Coffeyville head track coach Craig Perry.  “He doesn’t need a lot of coaching; he just needs a workout plan and he’ll go do it.”

Cannon qualified for the indoor national long jump by reaching a qualifying mark earlier in the season.  His road to All-American status in the triple jump came via unusual circumstances.

A blue card exemption was used by the Ravens to enter Cannon into the triple jump at the indoor national meet.  A blue card allows a school to enter an athlete into an event at the national meet without making a qualifying standard.

Each school is allowed two blue cards at the national meet, one of which Coffeyville used to enter Cannon into the triple jump.

“We thought if he could qualify for finals, he might score some points for us,” said Perry.  “He had one day of practice before the meet, but he’s so explosive we thought he could do well.”

“Since I qualified for the long jump, coach thought I could place in the triple jump,” said Cannon.  “I surprised myself.”

Cannon had competed in the triple jump during his high school career.  He competed in several events during his school career including the long and triple jump, sprints, sprint relays and hurdles.  He, however, never envisions competing in the indoor pentathlon or outdoor decathlon.

“You have to run the 1,000 meters in that,” said Cannon.  “I don’t like to run long distances.”

Cannon had also qualified to run the 60 meters at the indoor national meet by qualifying with a time of 6.90 seconds in a previous meet. 

“We had him focus on the jumps,” said Perry of the decision to hold Cannon out of the 60 meter dash.

Cannon has already qualified for the long jump and triple jump at the outdoor national meet later in May.  He plans to improve his distances in both events during the outdoor season.

“I’m going to train a little harder and just grow, I’ve got a lot to learn,” said Cannon.

Cannon, a physical education major, plans to graduate in December.  He has several schools recruiting him including Purdue, Ohio State, Maryland, and Texas A&M.

After his track career concludes, he wants to stay involved in the sport.  “I want be a track coach,” said Cannon.