Home > Nacogdoches County athletes in the news > Archives > 2008 > June > 16 > Entry
A note from Raymond
As published on TexasSports.com
What’s up Longhorn fans,
It’s Raymond Harris and I wanted to check in with you from the NCAA Championships and give you an update on how things are going, but first, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m a junior high jumper from Nacogdoches, which is a small, small town, and I came to Texas because of the environment and a guy named Andra Manson. The environment was good and I got a chance to meet Andra, who is one of the best jumpers in the world, and I wanted to be just like him. I wanted to train with him and learn under the coaches.
I actually got into the high jump through basketball instead of track. I ran track but I didn’t do any jumps. I was playing basketball one day and the coach came over. I told him to watch me dunk and that is when he asked me if I ever thought about doing the high jump. It was right before my junior year. I started out jumping 6-9 and ended up winning state that year, so I thought I might have a future in this. And now, I’m at the NCAA Championships.
We got to Iowa on Sunday, checked into the hotel and got settled in for the week. But, on Monday, Donovan and I were laying down in our room and we got a text that said we had to go. We thought it was a joke, but we got like three or four more texts after that, so we figured it wasn’t a joke. Our first hotel was right by the river and with all the rain they’ve had, they thought the river might overflow and make it hard to cross to get to the stadium, so we switched hotels to one away from the river. It caught us a little off guard, but it is better since we don’t have to worry about a flood and now we can just focus on the meet.
I actually competed last night in the qualifiers and was lucky enough to make it to the finals, which are on Friday. I was a little nervous going into it. It is my first national meet, but I get a little nervous before every meet. I was pretty confident though. I was coming off a 2.22 jump (7-3.25) at regionals, so I felt pretty good. The experience was good. I got a little overconfident but I think I’ve matured a little bit and was able to bring it back and focus on getting over the bars, and now I’m in the finals.
There are some great competitors at this meet and it is going to be tough, but I think it will bring out the best in all of the guys. I can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s the finals of my first national meet, so I’m going to have a lot of fun with it.
Thanks for all the support of me and the rest of the team. I was told that some of the events will be on TV this weekend, so check it out, and hopefully, we’ll give you some good performances to watch.
Hook ‘Em, Raymond
Raymond placed 8th overall at the championship finals in Iowa with a jump of 7 1/4
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Raymond Harris
Comments
By Jeff Woods
June 16, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Way to go Raymond!!! I speak for everyone at the Boys and girls Club when I say we are extremely proud of you and your success. Keep up the great work and don’t forget to come by and say “hi” when you are in town.
Jeff
By Brenda McClellon-Washington
July 13, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Keep up the good work Raymond! This is Ren’s mom. I’m proud of you and the good accomplishments that you making. Make your “Mama” proud and make yourself proud. Tell your mom Hi.
Brenda McClellon-Washington
By Lorecia Watts
September 2, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Way to Go Raymond!
Strive for the clouds and you will reach them. Keep up the good work and focus on your Goal; never let go of it; no matter how hard it seems to achieve.
I am so proud of you; keep up the hard work; it will pay off.
Love You! Mama Watts