Jasmine Moore poses after her NFHS National Record - photo submitted by Earl Moore
AUSTIN, TEXAS -- It was quite a final statement and the perfect ending to a near perfect career for Jasmine Moore on Saturday.
She grabbed two state championships, her eighth and ninth over her four-year career -- including a career and personal best triple jump of 44 feet, 10 inches, which was a No. 3 mark all-time -- to finish her regular season career as a high schooler.
"I was really nervous because I wanted to go out with a bang," Moore said. "I was really excited to see what I could do."
The Mansfield Lake Ridge senior had made it known for the last few seasons that she wanted to be known as the best all around jumper in high school history.
Entering the 2019 UIL Texas State Track and Field Championships, her four-year career at Lake Ridge had been well documented and so had her long list of accomplishments. She approached this weekend's competition as one of the most decorated high school athletes ever.
However, she still had two more competitions until a conclusion could be drawn. Moore would have to compete in the UIL 6A long jump on Friday and then the triple jump on Saturday before ending her career.
This weekend, the long jump posed two 2018 UIL long jump state champions against each other in the same competition. Moore, who won the last three state title in 5A would face last year's 6A champ Claire Bryant of Houston Memorial.
Moore had faced national and international competition, so many thought this should just be a formality. That wasn't the case, as Bryant was a force!
Bryant had a 21-2.25 long jump PR and had just beat Moore in a heads up competition at the Texas Relays. The long jump is the event Moore admitted she needs to improve the most in. This would be the most challenging state meet event of all for Moore.
Moore Shows off her nine UIL State Medals and her 2018 Team Championship ring
She would go on to jump 20-07 to top Bryant's 20-04 effort and capturing her fourth UIL Texas long jump state title in as many years. "I've always kind of struggled with long jump compared to triple jump, just to be out here and just to get more consistent is the goal and I feel like I did that today."
The only thing remaining before the end of her entire Texas high school career was to compete in the best event in her arsenal.
Moore did not let down, and her triple jump this weekend would be just as phenomenal as all of the others. In fact, it was even more so. Moore had her speed and explosion off the board clicking in all cylinders.
Some of Moore's best days had been marred by the infamous Texas winds, however, today the winds were as calm as they could possibly be. Moore popped 44 foot jumps in 5 of her six jumps, which would place Moore exactly where she wanted to be. Her best jump of the day was a 44-10, giving her a new National Federation of High School Athletic Association (NFHS) record, a Texas State Meet record, and the No. 3 all-time triple jump in high school history.
She surpassed the 18-year old Texas State Record of Ychllindria Spears (Luling, 2001).
Moore credited her work transitioning from a double-arm to a single-arm swing which she first started working with in the offseason with her father, Earl. Weeks of bounding following.
"I just remember when we would be in the house and work on arm placements," she said.
In what is not only the most amazing high school jump career in high school history, but it now consists of nine Texas UIL state gold medals, one UIL team state championship, two UIL Conference Records, a UIL State Record, a National Freshman Class Record, two National Sophomore Class Records, 1 National Junior Class Record, and now a NFHS National Record.
Moore's not finished, though. The star athlete will continue her journey at New Balance Nationals Outdoor and the USATF Junior National Championships in June.
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