Taj Blount-Oden is hoping for a big finish to his high school career after a knee injury cut his junior season short.
The Midwood senior got his final outdoor campaign off to memorable start by winning for the first time in his career at a major meet. Blount-Oden took home the triple jump title with a leap of 44 feet, 3.25 inches at the Mayor’s Cup championships last Saturday at Ichan Stadium.
It was the eighth-best leap in the state during the early season. He bested Thomas Jefferson’s Traivon Gilchrist (43-03.00) and Sean Davilar (42-09.25).
“It was exciting and kind of shocking at the same time,” Blount-Oden said. “I expect greatness from myself, but this is the first time I’m winning at a big meet.”
This is the best start distance-wise to a spring season in his career. Blount-Oden, who will jump at Lehigh next season, finished the indoor campaign with a mark of 44-06.00, and he got close to that on his first leap outdoors. Blount-Oden said he got to 46 feet on his final attempt, but was called for a foul. He hopes to reach 48 feet by the end of the season.
“I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I’m just excited for the next competition. I’m definitely expecting three more feet by championship season.”
Blount-Oden wasn’t able to compete in the Public School Athletic League’s borough and city championships last outdoor season because of a torn meniscus in his left knee. He also wanted to be able to work out at Lehigh’s camp last summer, which he attended with teammate and fellow future Mountain Hawk Michael Gooding, a long jumper. Instead he had to see others jump.
“It was a bit frustrating watching my teammate do drills and improve and I had to watch,” Blount-Oden said. “I took my mind off of that by trying the javelin, which I was pretty good at.”
He has Division-I genes in his family. His older sister Nia was a girls’ basketball star at Christ the King and helped lead the Royals to the 2010 state Federation Class AA title. She is currently a junior on the University of Illinois basketball team.
Blount-Oden is determined liv up to his potential this season.
“This is the year to come back and end strong,” Blount-Oden said.
