Jumping to success [Corrected 05/24/03]

Gerald Kennedy's future as an athlete was never really in doubt.

"I always jumped off the roof of the house, especially when there was snow outside," he said.

Kennedy has kept right on jumping, soaring toward the top of the triple-jump rankings in the state of Washington. The Gonzaga Prep senior finished fourth in the 4A state meet last season, in just his second season performing the triple.

Track isn't Kennedy's only forte either, as he led the Bullpups in scoring on the basketball floor this past winter. In fact, it was basketball that led Kennedy toward his track career.

"I coached him as a sophomore on the JV basketball team, and his athleticism and leaping ability was something I had never seen in a high school athlete," said Prep track coach Paul Manfred.

Seeing the success of Kennedy's older sister Jennifer, who went on to run track at Eastern Washington University, Gerald's destiny was set.

"Everyone saw how well my sister did at track, so Mr. Manfred and my dad came to a little decision that Gerald would do track," joked Kennedy. "So it keeps me out of trouble."

Kennedy is Mr. Versatile for the Bullpup track team. Besides the triple, he long jumps and runs the 100m and 4x100. In a pinch, he can run the 400m, or even put the shot.

"I don't think I've ever had anyone as versatile as him," said Manfred. "I've only had one other kid that I could have run seven different events like Gerald."

With those credentials, it would be natural Kennedy idolized someone like Carl Lewis growing up. Think again.

"I never really paid attention to any of the jumps," Kennedy said. "I didn't really know anybody from the jumps, except Jackie Joyner- Kersee. When I watched the Olympics, I just basically looked at Michael Johnson because he was so fast. That man could fly!

"I really looked at him because when I was little, my sister used to chase me all the time, so I always had to run away from her.

"My running style isn't quite like his, but back in the day, I used to try to imitate him," continued Kennedy. "I wanted a pair of those gold shoes that he had. The closest pair that I have are my orange ones."

Oh yes, the orange shoes. Kennedy wears them to every meet but not just for attention.

"When they explained the track shoe to me, I just liked that shoe," he said. "The only color they had in at the time was orange, so I said OK.

"Now, it sticks out, and when I'm running, people say, `Who's the kid in the orange shoes?'"

In the '80s, Mars Blackman said Michael Jordan's greatness was in the shoes, but Kennedy will challenge for the state triple jump title for other reasons entirely.

"When it comes to a pressure situation, he handles himself very calmly," Manfred said. "He always does.

"You can't tell the difference if it's a workout, a practice or a state meet. He's got a very calm sense about himself."

"I love to jump," said Kennedy. "I just like it, especially when a crowd comes over, and they're like `Wow, did you see that kid jump? That kid can jump really far.'

"I like it a lot. I really like the attention, too."

Copyright 2003 Cowles Publishing Company
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