Chris Whitaker
GREAT BEND, Kan. — When Carmetrick Ross decided to jump for Barton Community College, his hope was to add his name to the elite on a long list of JUCO All-Americans.
He did just that last weekend.
Ross finished second in the long jump, fourth in the high jump and ninth in the triple jump to earn All-American honors at the NJCAA Indoor track championships.
Barton won its 50th national track championship — men’s and women’s, indoor and outdoor combined — by edging Iowa Central 114.5-113 on Saturday at Charleston, Ill.
The freshman competed in all three events for the first time this season.
“All the hard work has started to pay off,” said Ross. “It was like going back to high school. It helped me focus on each of my events. When I mess up in one, I’ve got another chance on the next jump. I do all I can on the next one.”
Ross said he was pretty nervous entering the championships, that was until he talked to mentor Tommy Barnes, who worked with Ross through his entire high school career.
“He told me not to worry about it, that I always showed up when I needed to,” said Ross. “He tells me I’m a big-meet performer, and I showed up and got second.”
Ross had a distance of 24 feet, 2.5 inches in the long jump, nine inches behind the top distance. He reached a height of 6 feet, 8 inches in the high jump and measured out at 46 feet, 11 3/4 inches in the triple jump.
“He’s really come around as an all-around jumper,” said Barton head coach David Schenek. “He struggled a little bit at the beginning of the season. We’ve put a big focus on him in the long jump and high jump. His best event has been the long jump in the past, and it will be in the future. He’s real valuable to us. He came in ranked 15th or 16th in the high jump, and he had his personal best and season best to get fourth.”
Ross came up about five inches short of his personal best in the long jump, but Schenek believes he can easily get 25 feet when the outdoor season begins March 27.
Barton has trips to Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Baylor and BYU on the schedule.
“Any time you come in as a freshman, it take some time getting accustomed to training, and it certainly makes a big difference to come out at nationals and do that. He’s certainly a game-time performer, and we’re excited about what he’s doing.”
Ross came to Barton with a lot to prove after a disappointing senior season at Schley County. He finished second in the long jump, fifth in the high jump and eighth in the triple jump after winning the state championship in the high and triple jumps as a junior.
“It will always be with me how I lost the state championship. The whole season would have been a disappointment,” said Ross, speaking of if he didn’t place in the three events. “It just motivated me at practice and in the weight room. I’ve worked harder, kept my grades up, and I ask coach what I can improve on or anything that can help me.”
Both Schenek and Barnes believes this is just the beginning for the success that awaits Ross.
Schenek believes Ross also has a chance at reaching seven feet in the high jump and 50 feet in the triple jump in the outdoor season.
“There’s never been a day where I felt like he wasn’t working as hard as he could,” said Schenek. “He has a great work ethic and is a good athlete. He’s really come around, and hopefully he can continue to score a lot of points. I’m really pleased with what he’s done for the team and will continue to do for the team.”
Said Barnes: “In the jumping events, Carmetrick has more vertical leaping ability than any high school athlete I’ve ever seen. He has tremendous foot speed, he’s a dedicated and willing worker, and he is above all a competitor.
“I always thought and do believe that he has the ability to at some point in time to be a world-class track athlete. The results of last weekend’s meet only serve to confirm this: He is on his way.”
