An outstanding performance was turned in by TH Wei last weekend as the South Pasadena High sophomore came away with a 5th place finish in the triple jump at the CIF State Track and Field Championships in Clovis.
Wei took home a medal as he leaped 47 feet – 4 inches against the top triple jumpers in California.
And with it came plenty of praise from his coach, C.B. Richards.
“TH is a young track athlete with natural talented sprint speed combined with good jumping ability and high leg strength,” he explained. “Mixed with his great work ethic and being very coachable, it gives him the right combination for success in the triple jump.”
It took him only two jumps in the prelims on Friday to qualify for Saturday’s finals. He was ranked third heading into the championship round as he was allowed six attempts. His second leap in the finals was Wei’s best of the day, when he went four inches beyond the 47feet mark.
He excited the crowd at one point of the competition on Saturday when it appeared he had leaped just short of 49 feet on one jump. However, the leap was ruled a scratch as Wei was barely over the take off foul line.
“It made for some excitement and fun,” said Richards.
To medal at the state meet is a seven-step process starting with qualifying for the Rio Hondo League prelims, followed by the league finals, CIF prelims, CIF finals, CIF Masters, State prelims, and ultimately the state finals.
TH went 47’-6” to earn second place at the CIF Masters, setting a new school record, and making him State Meet bound.
“His high level of academics as a 4.0-plus student gives him the ability to bring his mental part of success in the classroom to mix well with his athletic talents,” Richards said of Wei.
Reaching elite status hasn’t come overnight and is a lot more than good fortune for Wei, noted his coach. “It’s a mix of the right athletic management, yearly planning, staying healthy, correct coaching and lots of dedication by TH,” explained Richards. “When it comes together, you reach this level of success.”
