Henderson Earns Two Honors and Achieves Rare Feat
Wyoming’s Ja’la Henderson became a two-time All-American at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, OR.
The junior became the first Cowgirl All-American in the triple jump last Saturday, as she finished in 15th place. That followed Honorable Mention All-America honors in the long jump last Thursday, where Henderson came in 17th place.
The best jump for Henderson in the triple was 42 feet-8.25 inches. Her top long jump with 20 feet-1 inch. She became the first Cowgirl in the long jump to receive All-America honors since Patricia Miller-Davis in 1980.
By earning two All-America honors last week, Ja’la Henderson became one of five Wyoming women’s track and field athletes in school history to earn multiple All-America honors in the same year. That list includes Jessica Cross (1998), Robin Lyons (1999 and 2000), Dana Dillon (2000) and Shauna Smith (2004 and 2005). Only Henderson, Smith, Lyons and Cross accomplished the feat at the same meet.
University of Wyoming Associate Head Coach Quincy Howe had this statement issued by the University of Wyoming after Saturday’s competition concluded.
“Ja’la has had a phenomenal season. Starting off in the fall, she showed more maturity and was more focused on the job at hand, and she concluded the national meet by coming home with two All-America performances.”
Howe went on to say, “It is very special for her to join that group of Wyoming women to earn multiple All-America honors in the same year, and I think it is a good sign for the future to see Ja’la compete consistently at an elite level on the national stage.”