video submitted by Jalen Seals
Jalen Seals is one of the most decorated jumpers in recent UIL history. Seals will graduate this weekend, which is probably good news to the rest of the jumpers in the state. Being one of the nation's best jumpers in the last few years, Seals will soon be competing in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet with the other top national jumpers. See what Jalen Seals had to say about his high school career and his senior season.
Name: JALEN SEALS
School: Boswell High School
o What was your most memorable race/moment?
My most memorable moment of my high school career is when I traveled with NSAF and competed in Cuba last year. I would have never dreamed track and field would allow me to compete internationally.
o Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition is myself. I had to overcome mental barriers and physical injuries when I jumped so my biggest competition was putting all of these things aside and focusing on out-jumping my PR.
o What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was finishing 3rd in the long jump at New Balance Nationals Indoor in 2016. I really wasn't jumping well and Coach Macka had to remind me that I deserved to be there competing on that stage.
photo submitted by Jalen Seals
o If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would try to focus more on injury prevention so that I could have been healthier.
o What will you miss the most?
Hanging out at track meet with my teammates.
o What are your college plans?
I plan on majoring in business and eventually going to law school. I will continue my track and field at Baylor University in the fall. SicEm!
photo submitted by Jalen Seals
o Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I would like to thank God for blessing me with a talent that I enjoy and that is allowing me to continue to the next level. I would like to thank my parents for supporting me and taking me across the US to compete on the national stage. I would like to say thank you to my Boswell High School head coach, Chad Jones for believing in me as a freshman and supporting me 100% my entire high school career. My high school jumps coach, Jeremy Mullins for your relentless dedication to helping me perfect my craft. Coach Macka Jones, Coach Peter Pratt, Project Triple Jump, and National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) for seeing something in me that I had not seen. You groomed me not only physically, but also helped me to become a more well-rounded athlete in and out of the jumping pits. I would like say thanks to Coach Niceler who introduced me to triple jump in the 7th grade at Wayside Middle School. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my Wagner Sports Academy coach, Jerome Wagner. We've been at this thing for some years now! I will forever be grateful to you for taking me in, encouraging me through my slumps, and celebrating the victories! And we're not finished yet!
o What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
Although it wasn't funny at the time, I can laugh about it now. My sophomore year of high school, I was at a meet and decided to start a clap before I jumped. I took off down the runway and on my 3rdphase I was really off balance and it felt like I snapped my ankle. After that, it was probably a whole year before I ever started a clap!
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