Andress’ Jordan Owens jumps to silver on final attempt at UIL state meet

There is an old saying about field events in track and field, one that speaks to impending peril but also to opportunity and hope: It only takes one. No matter how dire things are, as long as there is a breath, as long as there is a sixth attempt, there is a path to a better place. More: Jordan Owens overcomes adversity to charge to state for Andress track In the final long jump attempt of his high school career at the Class 5A UIL State Track and Field Championships, in his final moment in an Andress uniform he has worn with such pride and excellence, Jordan Owens seized it.

Sitting in fourth place through five jumps (he was in sixth after he passed in the fourth round before an improvement in the fifth), Owens summoned a rhythmic clap from the crowd, took his final approach down the runway and launched himself to a personal best leap of 23-8 1/2 that secured a silver medal. "That's Jordan Owens, Mister Clutch," his coach (and neighbor) Matt Jones said. "He coached himself right how.

He told me, 'Coach, I'm going to pass the fourth jump, I'm going to save the energy, you give me a clap, I'm going to go get it. "I said, 'Hey man, I trust you, you trust me, let's go, let's work. ' I'm smiling like a proud dad whose only son made it.

That's the only way I can describe it. " More: UIL state track meet results 2026 Day 2 Texas winners by event, class Owens confessed he wasn't in a great place before the final attempt. "I was down, I was in fourth place, I knew it was either win or go home," Owens said.