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An inch from Rio

Posted July 11, 2016 11:00 pm

By Jim Beers Contributing Writer

So close for Kyle Landon.

Landon, the 21-year old Southern Illinois University junior and Chester native, competed in the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials July 8 and 10 at Eugene, Ore.

After easily making the 7 foot, one-quarter inch qualifying mark for last Sunday's finals, Landon set a new personal-best jump of 7-5 in the finals.

But three attempts at the Olympic qualifying standard of 7-6 were no good, leaving Landon an inch short of Team USA and a trip to Rio de Janeiro for next month's Olympic Games.

"I most likely would have altered my approach if I would have had time to think, but there were only two of us left in the competition at the time and attempts came very quickly," said Landon, who was one of only 14 athletes to advance to the finals. "Add in the weather conditions and I wasn't at my very best those final three jumps."

Landon finished in second place to 2012 London Games silver medalist Erik Kynard, earning himself a silver medal at the Olympic Trials.

Kynard, third-place Bradley Atkins and sixth-place Ricky Robertson will represent Team USA in Rio.

Kynard won last Sunday's event with a jump of 7-6, while Atkins and Robertson cleared that height earlier this season.

Landon was asked what was going through his mind after his last attempt when he realized that he would not make Team USA.

"I was very upset and disappointed," Landon said. "It wasn't until I took that flag on that lap around the track that I heard all of the cheering.

"People were bending over the railings to high-five me and they wanted my autograph. They treated me like an Olympian. I didn't take long to cheer up and enjoy the honor of my accomplishment."

Landon came into the finals very confident and ready to compete.

"I was ready," he said. "I had beat most of these guys at some point during the year and I knew I had a great jump left in me.

"I was relaxed and confident and ready to compete."

Landon's first jump was smooth and appeared to be rather easy. He cleared the bar at 7-1.0 and again at 7-3.0 to to move to the next height of 7-5.

He had not cleared that mark during his career, but made it on his second attempt.

Then came 7-6.

"I was relaxed all week," Landon said. "My approaches were good and I did what was necessary to clear the bar.

"When it came down to it, however, knowing that I had to clear 7-6 or go home, I did begin to feel pressured and don't think that I maintained my full composure."

Following the competition, Landon jogged a lap around historic Hayward Field holding a small American flag in his right hand.

As he did, fans erupted with loud applause as Landon approached each section seating.

Long-time supporter, mentor, friend and former coach at Chester High School, Bob Koenegstein, made the long trip to Eugene to support Landon in his quest for Team USA.

"You should see this," Koenegstein said. "Kyle just ran the American Flag around the track to everyone's applause and cheering.

"This is quite a moment."

Landon said the fans' support helped relieve the sting of falling short of making Team USA.

"The love people showed me took all the pain away," he said. "The fans took all the pain away. I was able to put the disappointment behind me.

"I could feel the support from everyone and at that point I was able to move forward and enjoy the moment."

Landon was asked what was next for him.

"I am still a work in progress," he said. "I achieved a new PR at 7-5.0 and I finished second in the Olympic Trials at Eugene.

"I don't intend to quit now. I have a dream of becoming a professional high jumper."

"I am just 21 and won't really peak until I am 27-28," Landon continued. "I will continue to train and plan to work hard to do what it takes to be a pro."

Landon will be a senior at SIU next year. He would like to win the NCAA High Jump Championship as another goal.

He also plans to continue his training after graduation from SIU in May of 2017.

"I will have a great degree from SIU in accounting next May," Landon said. "I can always fall back on my academic achievements down the road, but I intend to continue to compete professionally while I am still young and able to compete.

"I will continue to work out and as soon as I am legally able to talk to recruiters next spring, I will see if I get any offers to become a professional athlete."

Landon was among the 24 best high jumpers in the nation when he arrived in Oregon last week and was joined by fellow Salukis Josh Freeman (shot put), DeAnna Price (women's hammer throw) and J.C. Lambert (men's hammer throw).

Freeman competed in the shot put July 1 and finished 16th with a throw of 63-2.25. He missed advancing to the finals by just four spots.

Price tied former Saluki Gwen Berry for second place in the hammer throw and earned a spot on the 2016 Olympic squad with throws of 73.09 meters.

Berry earned the silver medal, while Price won the bronze medal. They are the first SIU athletes to qualify for the Olympics since 2012, when Bianca Stuart competed in the long jump for the Bahamas in the London Olympics.

Lambert, who is the SIU throws coach, competed in the men's hammer throw. His toss of 69.10 meters did not qualify him to compete on the Olympic team.

Landon also expressed his thanks for the support he has received during his journey.

"All of this wouldn't have been possible without the support from all of my friends, family and fans," Landon said. "There were so many people believing in me that I felt like I had to do well to fulfill their expectations and beliefs in me.

I am blessed with such good friends who support me and believe in me."

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