AUSTIN, Texas – Chris Preddie earned Second Team All-America honors in the men's long jump on Wednesday at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships as the freshman finished 14th in the event at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
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With a mark of 7.70 meters/25-3.25, Preddie became the first All-American Bobcat in the men's long jump since 2021. He had the best finish by a Bobcat in the long jump at the national championships since 2005.
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Preddie is the first male Texas State freshman to earn All-America honors in an outdoor season.
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Preddie had his best jump in his second of three attempts. He leapt 7.31 meters/23-11.75 in his first attempt before going for 7.70 meters in his middle jump. He recorded a leap of 7.24 meters/23-9 in his final attempt.
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Preddie, from Little River Academy, Texas, was the third-highest finishing freshman in the men's long jump. Jordan Turner of Kentucky (3rd overall, 8.13m/26-8.25) and JC Stevenson of USC (10th overall, 7.79m/25-6.75) were the other freshmen who finished ahead of Preddie.
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Carey McLeod of Arkansas won the individual title in the men's long jump with a mark of 8.26 meters/27-1.25.
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Preddie is the fourth different Bobcat to be an All-American in the men's long jump, joining Gordon McKee (1990), Brian Veal (2004, 2005) and
Ronnie Briscoe Jr. (2021).
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The Bobcats continue the 2023 NCAA Championships on Thursday when
Elisabet Runarsdottir (women's hammer throw, 3:30 pm CT) and
Sedrickia Wynn (women's 100 meter hurdle semifinals, 8:32 pm CT) take the stage.
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2023 NCAA Championships
Day 1 Results
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Men's Long Jump
14.
Chris Preddie – 7.70m/25-3.25
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