Top American Olympic Jumpers of 2008

Former basketball standout Jenn Stuczynski became the 2005 U.S. indoor pole vault champion within a year of taking up the sport. In 2008 she battled world record-holder Yelena Isinbaeva in Beijing.

After several years at or near the top of the world's pole vault rankings, Brad Walker reached his first Olympics in 2008.

Entering 2008, Derek Miles had never finished a season higher than fifth in the world pole vault rankings. But his leap of 5.91 meters at the 2008 Olympic Trials earned him a national championship and a berth in the Beijing Olympics.

Ranked as the number one American high jumper in 2007, Jesse Williams remained on top by winning the 2008 Olympic Trials championship. He was less successful in Beijing.

Brittney Reese broke into the long jumping spotlight with a strong 2007 season, continued her ascension with a victory at the 2008 Olympic Trials, then made a bid for a medal in Beijing.

He wasn't the best-known U.S. long jumper at the 2008 Olympic Trials, but Quinley proved to be the best. Like his American Olympic teammates, however, he wasn't close to medal distance in Beijing.

Marks was among the top U.S. triple jumpers from 2005-08, so her triumph at the 2008 Olympic Trials was no surprise. Her performance at Beijing, however, was.





Read more:
Medal Predictions

World’s Top Contender Profiles

Summer Olympics main page

Profile of Pole Vaulter Jeff Hartwig

Profile of Triple Jumper Aarik Wilson