Missouri Tigers’ Seremes wins national triple jump title at NCAA Indoor Championships
Mizzou sophomore Jonathan Seremes stands at the top of the runway in the middle of the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The sand pit lays awaits 40 meters ahead, inviting him forth for his final triple jump attempt.
Although miles from where he grew up in Paris, France, Seremes feels right at home, his spikes piercing the track’s tactile surface. He sits in first with his current best jump of 55 feet, 7 inches, but that was no excuse to hold back.
In his first season donning Mizzou’s black and gold, Seremes has reached the national stage, competing at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. He sits atop the rankings in the men’s triple jump, but the newcomer must still prove he belongs.
He takes off. His long bounds and driving arms propel him forward as he gains momentum down the lane.
Upon reaching the scratch line, Seremes launches from his left foot. His speed carries him through the air; his right leg cycles beneath him before landing on his left.
Pushing off again from his left, the powerful muscles he has spent years refining carry him forward. He comes down on his right, reaching the sand pit. Arriving at his point of liftoff, Seremes jumps. He drives his arms upward and brings his legs close to his chest, perpendicular to the ground.
The sand pit passes beneath him. His opponents’ best marks pass beneath him. His own Mizzou program record passes beneath him. Seremes slides into the sand 55 feet and 11 inches from his initial takeoff, taking home his first national title while topping the runner-up by 20½ inches in his first season in the NCAA.
Seremes also became the first collegiate athlete to clear 17 meters since then-Arkansas freshman Jaydon Hibbert did so at the same meet March 11, 2023.
Not only did Seremes win the title, but fellow Tiger Sterling Scott put on a display of his own. The sophomore leapt to 52-7 1/2 to finish eighth overall. Both Scott and Seremes earned First-Team All-American honors, with only the top 8 earning the distinction.
Continuing a slew of successes for Mizzou triple jumpers, senior Euphenie Andre toppled an MU program record of her own in the women’s triple jump, recording 44-5½ to finish sixth overall and earn First Team All-American honors.
The Tigers also made a significant impact in the women’s high jump, qualifying seniors Kristi Perez-Snyman and Claudina Diaz to the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. Perez-Snyman led the charge with a top jump of 6-0 3/4 to take sixth.
Diaz tied for 15th with her highest clearance of 5-8 3/4. Perez-Snyman capped her program record-breaking season with First-Team All-American honors, while Diaz claimed a spot on the Second-Team All-American list.
After the 17 events were scored and compiled, the USC men’s team came out on top with 39 points. Georgia followed with 33 points and Auburn finished in a tight third, racking up 32. The Missouri men counted up 11 points, tying them for 23rd out of 87 teams.
Oregon won the women’s team title after racking up 55 points. Georgia followed with 39 while USC counted 35. The Mizzou women’s team placed 34th out of 82 teams with 5.5 points.
With the indoor season coming to a close, the Tigers return for the outdoor season. MU travels to Atlanta, Georgia, on March 21 for the Yellow Jacket Invitational at Georgia Tech.
Other notable Missouri finishes
Alongside Mizzou’s six qualifiers for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, many other Missouri natives represented their respective teams on the national stage.
Lee’s Summit product and USC senior Johnny Brackins Jr. has been a standout for the Trojans, competing in three events over the weekend. On Friday, the Kansas City native placed eighth in the long jump with a mark of 24-10. Brackins followed Saturday in the 60 hurdles, placing fourth while clocking 7.54 seconds. Finally, he squared off in the 4x400 relay with the Trojans placing fourth with the last leg crossing the line in 3:04.76.
In his tenure at Lee’s Summit, Brackins was a four-time Class 5 champion as well as the state record-holder in the 110 hurdles (13.79). In 2021, Brackins was the Gatorade Track & Field Player of the Year for Missouri as well as the USA Today nominee for track and field. This indoor season at USC, Brackins has earned a spot on the Bowerman Watch List, a prestigious award earned by the top collegiate athletes.
Rock Bridge alum and Florida State junior Tyra Wilson represented the Seminoles in the women’s 4x400 relay. The former Bruin’s relay squad clocked a 3:34.47, good for tenth.
Wilson won four individual state championships during her first two seasons with the Bruins. During her senior year, Wilson ranked No. 6 on MileSplit’s Class of 2021 national recruiting rankings.
Also competing in the 4x400, Kentucky freshman and Pattonville alum A’Laji Bradley joined a Wildcat team that placed seventh with a 3:30.59.
In 2024, Bradley won individual titles in both the 200 and 400 at the Class 5 Track & Field Championship during her senior year with the Pirates.
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