Claye picks up the pieces in the triple jump

By Isaac Gibson for DyeStat

EUGENE, Oregon – Will Claye stood on the medal stand Saturday at Hayward Field with gold hanging around his neck, knowing that he made his second Olympic team.

It was a different picture just six days ago, when Claye missed his shot to make the team in the long jump when he finished third but missed the Olympic standard by just one centimeter.

“I was able to come into the triple jump competition with a clear mind and just have fun,” Claye said on the penultimate day of the U.S. Olympic Trials. “It was so emotional, everything was just running through my head at once. Me and my coach were just sitting there like, ‘Yeah. We finally did it.’”

Claye and Christian Taylor, who were teammates at the University of Florida and at the London Games, filled the top two spots, jumping 57 feet, 11 inches (17.65 meters) and 57 feet, 3/4 inch (17.39), respectively. Behind them was Chris Bernard, of Chula Vista Elite, who jumped 56-5 3/4 (17.21). They will represent the U.S. at the Rio Games.

“I really believe these two guys next to me are some of the best jumpers in the world,” said Claye. “I believe we can go one, two and three at Rio.”

Claye was leading for the first two rounds until Taylor, the defending world champion, took over after his third attempt, when he jumped 57-0 (17.37). But then Claye took the lead back on his fifth attempt, when he jumped 57-11.

“I was telling Will, ‘This is like another day of training for us,’” said Taylor. “I’m just so excited for him, to be back healthy, and to see him smiling and just enjoying this moment. To get Gators one and two, that’s what it’s all about. Gator Chomps.”

Coming in fourth was another former Florida Gator, Omar Craddock. His best jump was his fifth attempt of 56-3 3/4 (17.16), but after Bernard had his best jump, Craddock was unable to bounce back.

“I am really just shocked -- I don’t think it hit me yet,” said Craddock. “I came in fourth in 2012; I came in fourth last year at the world championships, and I just came in fourth again … I’m seriously lost and confused.”

Craddock missed making the Olympic team a Gator sweep by just two inches.

“Obviously the more Gators the merrier,” said Taylor. “I feel for Omar… but a lot of respect for Chris and the way he came at it and competed.”