Boamah-Acheamp rises to occasion and then some with All-America jump

brian questel
June 1, 2011
268

060611 AbenaAll-American Promo: Scots Boamah-Acheamp earns All-America high jump honors in Boamah-Acheamp rises to occasion and then some with All-America jump By Brian Questel College of Wooster sophomore Abena Boamah-Acheamp has been a dominant force in the North Coast Athletic Conference high jump in her short time at Wooster. She moved beyond the NCAC to prove herself on the national stage May 28. The Columbus-area native journeyed to Ohio Wesleyan University for the Division III National track and Field Championships and emerged with an eighth-place finish in the high jump to cement her All-America status. It worked out great for her, said Scot coach Dennis Rice. The week before she had to go 5-5.75 (in Chicago) to get in, which broke up a cluster of women who had cleared 5-5.25 and gave her the opportunity to get to the next level. (At nationals) her third jump 5-5.75 was key to getting All-America status. She made a huge jump on her third attempt at 5-5.75, which was key to getting All-America. She made a huge jump, which showed her confidence and showed she was capable of doing it. One thing with her she doesnt lack confidence, whether its her first, second or third jump. An attempt is an attempt. Im happy for her. The key, Rice noted, was performing well at a Last Chance meet in Chicago. They drove to Chicago to try to bump Boamah-Acheamp up from her 5-5.25 provisional status, a move that paid huge dividends when she improved a half-inch. Once you get to a certain point, the NCAA decides how many to take in each event, said Rice. She was at 5-5.25 and I knew that wasnt good enough – she had to go at least 5-5.75. She finished second – there were 36 high jumpers at the meet. If you are on the bubble, you have to go to one of the Last Chance meets. There were 6-7 women who jumped 5-5.75 at various sites around the country, and that knocked out all the women at 5-5.25. Thats why went to Chicago. It was very important to get there and clear height. The woman that won the national championship made 5-7.75, and that was the height Abena missed at. Thats what makes me feel good. Her confidence is coming back and she was not intimidated. She had three solid attempts at 5-7.75. She had no fear and thats a good sign, said Rice. She had quality attempts on all three efforts. After this national meet, now there are a few things we can incorporate to get back to the 5-8, 5-9 level. For her part, it couldnt have worked out better for Boamah-Acheamp. I pretty happy about it, said the sophomore. I went to Chicago last year to compete and didnt make it, and was dropped with a 5-5 jump. This year was different. I was more confident and I had good meet. I have been jumping well. If I have more speed, then Im able get higher. Getting to 5-5.75 was better than I thought ... Im getting back to what my PR used to be. It was very nice being at Ohio Wesleyan. My parents were able come. My grandma and some friends from Wooster were able to come and they all had shirts and signs, she laughed. That was exciting to see. Nationals are usually so far away and no one to come see. It was nice to have family and friends there. Rice noted Boamah-Acheamps confidence started to come up right when we got to third week of April. You could see that at Kenyon and then when she hit the provisional height (5-5.25), he added. You could see her get comfortable and then she had good attempts at higher heights. A couple weeks ago we introduced to a secondary event (for the NCAA T&F Championships) and she won the triple jump and the high jump to be the (NCAC) Field Athlete of the meet. She was able to be comfortable at the national meet. When it came to her third attempt, I was confident she would make it. Boamah-Acheamp agreed her confidence has been rising. Because of misses, the eighth-place through fourth-place women all jumped the same height, said Boamah-Acheamp. I can get flustered with the last jump, but I was able to make it, which was good. This was my first time at nationals. Im proud of myself and to be able to say Im All-America. Its pretty cool Ive been able to do this. My goal is to get to indoor and outdoor (nationals next year) and in the triple jump, too – get there in two events and not just one. Its a big goal, but with hard work and my coaches and the team, Ill be able make it back up.

Boamah-Acheamp rises to occasion and then some with All-America jump

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