Demydova captures NCAA record, title

Southern Miss senior Ganna Demydova needed just one jump to capture the NCAA women’s triple jump title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon. Her jump of 14.20 meters (46’7.25”) also set the school and NCAA Championship meet record.


While leading going into the finals, Demydova looked to have been passed up by Kansas jumper Andrea Geubelle (14.32 meters) on her fifth jump. Southern Miss head track and field coach Kevin Stephen, who is also the jumps coach, protested the jump. Three independent officials used video review to conclude that Geubelle’s jump was a foul.


Demydova leaves Southern Miss with a national title, two All-American honors, NCAA, school, and Conference USA records and two Conference USA titles. Her mark of 14.20 meters Sunday moves her to No. 23 in the world.


Tori Bowie, the reigning champion in the Long Jump at the NCAA Championships, finished second to Whitney Gipson of TCU. Bowie’s best jump of the competition was 6.66 meters.


The Southern Miss Women’s Track and Field team ended the meet tied for 12th place with Florida- two spots lower than last years 10th place performance.