Jay Avery helped Hoover win the 7A Team Title with a win in the triple jump, second place in the long jump, and a PR upset win in the 60m.
Briefly talk about your weekend. Definitely feel like you pulled off an upset in the 60m especially out of Lane 1.
This past weekend I felt pretty good about going into the meet with only doing three events. But I was still concerned about my back from an injury earlier in the season. So after running the prelims in the 60m I started to feel the pain and I had triple jump immediately afterwards and that really stressed my back. So when I had to come back and run in the finals, I wanted to change my strategy from my previous races. The start is my strongest part of my race, so as I was getting ready for the finals, all that was going through my head was "drive, drive, drive!" And when I popped my head up I was in front of everyone and I was in shock when I crossed the line. But it was amazing to score 28 points for my team but I really wish I won the long jump after the 60m.
What got you into running?
I've always been pretty fast. I've just never had time to run so when my injury came it freed me up to do more running.
When did you realize you were fast? Surely there was a time you ran the tables at the playground.
Really my whole life especially when playing football. I've always been fast at playing football during recess and on the football field. I even used to sprint in middle on the relay teams.
What's your favorite event?
Most definitely the triple jump.
Why the triple jump? Definitely, it's what you're the best at.
Because it's the most difficult, in my opinion, and most people have a hard time doing it, so it brings me joy when I have a good jump.
Who got you to try triple jump for the first time?
When I first started doing track in 7th grade, I initially only did long and high jump but my coach thought I would be good at triple and I was and I've loved it ever since.
Who would be in your dream triple jump lineup?
Most definitely Christian Taylor, Will Claye, Kenny Harrison, and Jonathan Edwards.
What is your favorite track and field memory?
I would have to say when I broke the school record in long jump my sophomore year on my last jump. I started a clap and yelled at the crowd and I went from fifth place to second place.
Can you acknowledge the fact that sometimes the crowd is atrocious at clapping with the jumper?
Oh yes, the claps this past weekend weren't really the best so I just stopped clapping. It kinda throws me off.
But what's the feeling of a really good clap and how does it help?
Oh definitely. When the rhythm starts out slow and matches my pace before I start my approach and gets louder and louder as I approach the board it helps me focus and run through the board.
What goes through your mind down the runway?
I'm just extremely focused and I just think about running my hardest down the runway and jumping the furthest I can.
Who or what is your biggest motivation?
God has blessed me with opportunities and great ability and I want to maximize it the fullest.
Can you share briefly why you chose to go to Houston?
It was the only school that I felt really wanted me and I get to be coached by the greatest long jumper of all time. They also have a great broadcast department and I love the team and coaching staff.
Are you going to pursue broadcasting?
Yes sir, I want to major in communications and become a voice actor.
Good transition to my next question: if you had to be a character in any Disney movie, who would it be and why?
Most definitely Mufasa from the Lion King. I'm an intern at a local studio to work on voice overs and I've done a Mufasa skit and I killed it!
To go off that, what's your top three favorite movies?
Top three are pretty hard but I would have to say Friday, Friday Night lights, and Cars.
What's your pre-race/competition routine?
All of my friends and teammates know I LOVE to listen to Eminem before a meet and while I warm up.
Top three Eminem songs?
There's so many lol. But I would have to say Stan, Without Me, and Sing for the moment.
If you were in jail and could make one phone call to a Hoover teammate, who would it be? And why?
Rj Torbor. We have grown really close over the years and we spend so much time together to the point that we're like brothers. I just know his dad would drive him because he cannot drive.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Sydney McLaughlin and Zendaya.
What method would you take in finding a needle in a haystack?
Just focus on the positive side of things and just give it my best effort and never give up.
How do you want to be remembered after your time at Hoover comes to an end?
As a person who never backed down from a challenge and how I always strived for excellence and also had great character.
Lastly, is there a certain goal you're chasing for Outdoor season?
There are multiple goals I'm going for but the main goals I'm going for is the State long jump record (24-07.50) and State triple jump record (50-05.00).
