Stillman Alum, Gold Medalist Narrowly Misses Tokyo Bid At Trials

EUGENE, ORE. — Defending Olympic gold medalist and Stillman College alum Jeff Henderson came up just short late Sunday night in his bid for a spot on Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, finishing sixth in the men's long jump at the U.S. Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

The 32-year-old native of McAlmont, Arkansas was the No. 2 favorite entering Sunday's competition and started the day in second place with an 8.08-meter jump. The performance would not be enough, though, as four others topped Henderson's mark as he needed just seven inches on his best jump distance to advance to Tokyo.

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While he would likely trade other accolades for a second trip to the Olympics, Henderson — after winning the high jump earlier in the day — became the first Team USA member to qualify in both the high jump and long jump since Jim Thorpe in 1912. On his list of accomplishments is also the distinction of being the only men's long jumper in the trials who completed his collegiate career at the NCAA Division II level and the only graduate of a historically black college or university (HBCU).

During his track career at Stillman College, Henderson won two national titles for the Tigers at the 2013 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field championships in the the 100-meter dash and long jump. What's more, he was also runner-up in the 2013 championships in the 200-meter to help Stillman to a program-best ninth-place team finish.

After his time in Tuscaloosa, Henderson would go on to win a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games, gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and was the silver medalist at the 2019 IAAF World Championships Silver medal distance in Doha, Qatar.

Opening ceremonies for the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics is set for Friday, July 23.

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