Kevin Beacham of Culver City High School did not win the long jump title at the State track and field meet a weekend ago in Clovis, but he still will go down in history for staging one of the greatest athletic years in school history.
He finished his athletic career by placing 10th in the State long jump.
“I wanted to place in the top six and win a medal for the school and the city of Culver City,” Beacham said.
“I am disappointed.
“But I think I had a good season.”
For four weeks Beacham kept everyone tense as he competed in the CIF preliminaries, the finals, the prestigious Masters and the State meet. During the CIF Finals, he set a school record with a long jump of 24 feet, ¾ inch.
On the first of two days, Beacham jumped 23 feet, 9 inches on his first jump in the preliminaries. This put him in second place among the 32 jumpers from all over the state. In the Saturday finals, he jumped 22 feet, 6 inches.
The winning jump was 25 feet, 8 ¾ inches by Nate Moore from Castro Valley.
“We are extremely proud of Kevin,” said long jump coach Derrick Huezo who made the trip to Clovis along with girls coach Rayfield Beaton “He did not have that extra pop in his jump, but overall he had a tremendous season in the long jump.
“To be great, you have to pay attention to detail. That is what Kevin did. Finishing in the top 10 of all of the long jumpers in the state is something most kids dream about.
“Of course we wanted him to place higher. But this is still a great way to end the season.”
Beacham, bound for Indiana State, was a star defensive back on the football team that made it to the playoffs. He also played guard on the basketball team that made it to the playoffs. Setting a school record in the long jump and making it to the State finals was icing on a sweet cake.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
