July 3, 2012
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By Miquel Jacobs
Assistant Media Relations Director
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Rising junior Jeannelle Scheper won gold in the high jump at the Central American & Caribbean Athletic Confederation (CACAC) Junior Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador, marking her first career gold medal in international competition.
Representing St. Lucia, Scheper set a new personal best 6’0 ¾ (1.85m) to improve upon her previous school record and get the win. Scheper and Kimberly Williamson of Jamaica were the only two athletes to successfully clear 1.85 meters, resulting in a jump off to determine the winner with each attempting jumps at 1.88 meters, 1.86 meters and 1.84 meters before Scheper earned gold as the only one to clear 1.82 meters (5’11 ¼).
“The jump off was pretty intense, and Kimberly made it very competitive, but in the end when I won I was ecstatic,” Scheper said. “I don’t think it even really set in right away. The PR meant a lot, but I know I could have cleared 1.88 (meters). I was close on all my attempts. I’m really happy with this win, and it’s definitely given me some confidence to go into world juniors.”
The gold ends a streak of bronze medals for Scheper who last competed for her country at the CARIFTA Games in early April in Hamilton, Bermuda, where she earned bronze medal honors for the third consecutive year at 5’10 ¾ (1.80m).
“I felt very relaxed at this particular meet, mostly because I knew I was sufficiently prepared but also because I knew my competition,” Scheper said. “I’ve jumped with these girls a few times before. I felt really good throughout my warm-ups and knew it would be a good competition.”
The 2012 season was a memorable one for the 17-year old sophomore from Gros-Islet, St. Lucia. Scheper earned two All-America honors after placing eighth at the NCAA Indoor Championships and 16th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, becoming the first Gamecock woman to earn All-America honors in the high jump in either the indoor or outdoor season, let alone both in the same year. She was the SEC Indoor bronze medalist in the high jump and holds the South Carolina indoor and outdoor records in the event.
Scheper will next compete for St. Lucia at the IAAF World Junior Championships from July 10-15 in Barcelona, Spain. Scheper has automatically qualified for the event that will be held at the Olympic Stadium.
