Manson ready for leap to Olympics

EUGENE, Ore. — Andra Manson’s biggest claim to fame came in a high school basketball playoff game when he leaped over a defender for a dunk. The former Brenham High School and University of Texas athlete is hoping to jump even higher — literally and figuratively — next week.

Manson, whose childhood dreams were of playing in the NBA, has become one of the United States’ top high jumpers. He will compete in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, with his event set for qualifying Thursday.

Manson’s best jump this season, 7-foot-7 3/4, came in the Texas Relays and has him ranked second in the country behind Nebraska’s Dusty Jonas and third in the world behind Jonas and Kabelo Kgosiemang of Botswana.

"He knows what he needs to do," said Longhorns coach Bubba Thornton, Manson’s personal coach and the coach of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field team. "He’s healthy; he’s ready. He should have a great opportunity to make this team. But we have some really great young high jumpers in America right now, so it’s going to be competitive. Nothing is a given, but I have confidence in Andra’s ability."

High jumping was Manson’s fallback. He averaged more 20 points on the basketball court and drew interest from Texas A&M, the University of Houston and several junior colleges. But as the American junior record-holder (7-7) and the Track and Field News high school Athlete of the Year in 2002, Manson had his pick of schools in track and field.

"Actually, I started [high jumping] in junior high to get out of school [for meets]," said Manson, who is 6-5 and weighs 165 pounds. "I didn’t take it too seriously. As time passed, I got better at it. It just kind of happened.

"Basketball was my main focus. Giving it up was tough, but I’m happy with my decision."

Manson won four consecutive Big 12 indoor championships and was a two-time NCAA champion. After completing his collegiate career a year ago, he immediately began focusing on the Beijing Games.

He missed out going to the Athens Games four years ago, finishing eighth at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

"I think it was a positive that I didn’t make the team that year," Manson said. "I was a freshman, and I had a pretty decent freshman year. I might have left school early, and I might not have had as successful a career. I graduate this summer and hopefully I’ll make the Olympic team."

Manson, 24, is due to start an online Chemistry II class in July. That’s the last requirement for him to earn his degree in kinesiology in August. He hopes one day to become a state trooper.

For now, though, the dream is to be an Olympian.

"If I make this Olympic team," Manson said, "at least I can say I made one Olympic team in my professional career. That’s something."

ONLINE: www.eugene08.com; www.usatf.org