NewsBusters, I sincerely hope you won't mind me sharing some amazing personal news with you: moments ago, my son Brandon cleared a personal best 2.10 meters (6-10 3/4) in the high jump finals at the Big 12 Championships earning him seventh place and an invitation to the NCAA Midwest Regionals in two weeks:
Yeah, baby!!!
Sincerest thanks to all of you that have supported his efforts this season.
*****Update:
Jonas was not the only Husker to jump well on Sunday as freshmen Paul Hamilton and Brandon Sheppard each placed in the top eight and recorded new personal bests. Hamilton finished third with a jump of 7-3 (2.21), improving his regional-qualifying mark and increasing his personal best by 2 1/2 inches. Sheppard placed seventh, adding his name to the regional list with a jump of 6-10 3/4 (2.10).
I'm still waiting for pictures. Great job, Brandon!
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Congratulations Brandon!
May 18, 2008 - 16:45 ET by BarkerAin't no mountain high enough.....
AWESOME!
May 18, 2008 - 16:48 ET by Gary P JacksonAWESOME!
Awesome Noel!!
May 18, 2008 - 16:48 ET by shawn228Congratulations Brandon. I guess the global warming kicked in and it was not too cold for his meet this time huh Noel? :-)
That's Extraordinary
May 18, 2008 - 16:51 ET by Gat New YorkSo much for white men can't jump.
If he jumps that high did he ever consider basketball?
Congrats to Brandon & his Husker Team Mates
May 18, 2008 - 16:53 ET by BlondeLooks like everyone had a fine, fine day...and the winning jump was pretty bloody close to the collegiate record.
Nicely done.
And of course we don't mind, NS! Silly goose. Good news is always welcome.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde
May 18, 2008 - 17:02 ET by Noel SheppardB,
Dusty was on fire. 2.36 is insane. He didn't even attempt 2.39 because he hurt his shoulder coming down from 7-8 3/4!
Brandon said he cleared 2.15 on his first attempt, but clipped the bar with his hammie. No matter, he's peaking at exactly the right time, and now I get to see him in the Regionals in two weeks. Imagine that. ns
Noel...Was Brandon's talent
May 18, 2008 - 17:11 ET by JerNoel...Was Brandon's talent for this event honed during childhood when you said "jump" and he said "how high"?
You've probably heard that before, but, in any event, congrats to you, him, and the team.
Jer
Jer
May 18, 2008 - 17:14 ET by Noel SheppardJer,
As odd as this may sound, no one has ever said that to me. LOL! Great stuff. Thanks! ns
NS
May 18, 2008 - 17:13 ET by BlondeAny time you come close to breaking a record is insanity.
When I was in college, I water skied competitively. At that time, the men's world record for jumping was 180 feet (held by a neighbor of mine, incidentally). The new world record is 238'...talk about insane. Although the rules have not changed, the technology has. To my way of thinkng, that puts Dusty's accomplishment today right out there in the stratosphere.
And that Brandon attained a personal best is fabulous and a major accomplishment. We've had this discussion before, but even though it's a competitive sport, you basically always compete against yourself.
Have a blast in two weeks....we'll be waiting for your news.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Congrats!
May 18, 2008 - 16:56 ET by UphillNothing cooler than a proud Papa.
Cangratulations to Brandon for the excellent jump.
May 18, 2008 - 16:58 ET by R D HelmNoel, hey, don't apologize for popping some good news in here once in a while.
LOL-God knows there is little enough of that around here as it is.
That's awesome news Noel
May 18, 2008 - 17:09 ET by BlazerThat's awesome news Noel ! It's very clear and evident to those of us here that The Sheppard family has a lot of talent, for what you do for us here and Brandon does on the field, keep up the great work !
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Congratulations to your son,
May 18, 2008 - 17:12 ET by Lynn DavidsonCongratulations to your son, Noel. You must be a proud dad. Here's wishing your son good luck in the next round!
Congratulations
May 18, 2008 - 18:29 ET by iveseenitallCongratulations to your son, Noel. As a former university track and x-country man myself, I know what he is going through. I love the sport to this day. One of the best things about it is that in track you are on your own, competing with others, but also competing against yourself. Every step forward is a personal triumph. Good luck to him in the NCAA. Hope he goes further. I competed on against the Russians way back when and will never forget it. Great stuff!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Wow I'vseeenitall
May 18, 2008 - 18:33 ET by shawn228I think this is the first time I have seen you post where you did not insult a liberal. Ie Happy mothers day everyone, and hate the liberals. I'm surprised you didn't say, and those liberals should be suspected of raising the height on the bar.
Sorry Noel, I could not resist.....Congrats again to Brandon. -)
rofl shawn
May 18, 2008 - 18:47 ET by candanceThat post needs a beverage warning!
Shawn
May 18, 2008 - 19:22 ET by iveseenitallSorry, Shawn. As I former world-class athlete, I never played those games. I never cheated; I depended upon myself and my talent. I cannot say the same for many "liberals" I've met in my life or my career. You brand it as "hate"; I see it as reality from personal experience. Try fighting my views with facts. I know the facts before I speak; I hope you learn them too, somewhere along the way.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
i'veseenitall
May 18, 2008 - 19:24 ET by shawn228sigh........I did not say you cheated at all tsk tsk. I always fight your views with facts ivehaditall.
The facts you choose are a little different though.
What is 1+1?
Answer 1+1 = Bill Clinton is whore mongering rapist!!!!
Lets not ruin Noels thread shall we? If you ever need to find, me. I can be found in a place called the woodshed.
Noel
May 18, 2008 - 19:29 ET by iveseenitallPardon me too, Noel. But I had to respond to that ignorant attack on my person..
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Yukon says:
May 18, 2008 - 18:47 ET by the strugglerBrandon's bounce!
congrats Brandon and Noel
May 18, 2008 - 18:48 ET by candanceThat's a huge accomplishment! Rock on. :-)
Congratulations! I know
May 18, 2008 - 19:21 ET by jdhawkCongratulations! I know what a proud father you must be.
Noel, that's great news
May 18, 2008 - 19:31 ET by botgNoel, that's great news congrats to Brandon. What and when is the ultimate goal?
“i am the quixotic botg and i approved this message”
b
May 18, 2008 - 19:55 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
Ultimate goal? Getting to the Olympics in 2012 of course. But that's amazingly hard. Only three guys from the whole country go. This includes pros now. As such, Olympic trials first.
This year, if he really is peaking, and finally turning all that extra speed and strength into vertical force, I think he'd be totally tickled to get to the NCAA Championships in June. I don't know how many they take from each region. Probably eight maybe. Can he take eighth in two weeks? Don't know. ns
N
May 18, 2008 - 20:00 ET by botgi thought the Olympics but being 10" off the winner yesterday makes this year out. I do not know the prime for high jumpers? were he a swimmer that's about his current age.
“i am the quixotic botg and i approved this message”
b
May 18, 2008 - 20:12 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
Typically a later maturing sport. Stefan Holm won the 2004 Olympic gold at the age of 28. Sergey Klyugin was 26 in 2000. Charles Austin was 28 in 1996. Javier Sanabria was 25 in 1992. Gennadiy Avdeyenko was 25 in 1988. Etc.
High jump is largely technique. So, he's got time, as he'll be 20 in July. ns
N
May 18, 2008 - 20:15 ET by botgthanks, go Brandon
“i am the quixotic botg and i approved this message”
N
May 18, 2008 - 20:00 ET by botgi thought the Olympics but being 10" off the winner yesterday makes this year out. I do not know the prime for high jumpers? were he a swimmer that's about his current age.
“i am the quixotic botg and i approved this message”
Congrats to the Sheppard
May 18, 2008 - 19:39 ET by balboaCongrats to the Sheppard Husker! Did the altitude have any adverse effect on him?
Interesting that Liberty is in the top 20 for men's track. It's gotta be by far the smallest school in the rankings.
b
May 18, 2008 - 19:56 ET by Noel Sheppardb,
I think altitude helps jumpers. Extra height, right? Hurts runners. Less oxygen. ns
Good point. I suppose
May 18, 2008 - 20:04 ET by balboaGood point. I suppose athletes of that caliber adjust pretty quickly, anyway.
Gloat All you want!
May 18, 2008 - 20:01 ET by FastEdWear his win on your sleeve, brag, and be proud!
Just remember, when he looks at the camera, he's gonna say - "Hi Mom!"
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Noel... You must be one
May 18, 2008 - 21:15 ET by Clear thinkerNoel...
You must be one proud papa right about now.
"Abstain from McCain"
How wonderful,
May 18, 2008 - 23:49 ET by DEVILDOCMOMyou can really see the effort and the look of concentration on his face. You never have enough of seeing them work hard and succeed, do you?
Congratulations, Noel and Brandon
May 18, 2008 - 23:51 ET by GoHskrsGiven my login name, I had to stop by this thread and offer my congratulations as well.
Can he hit with an aluminum bat as well? The 'Husker baseball team would appear to need some help next weekend (after getting swept by Missouri and outscored 37-13) if he's not busy ... 8^)