Jaydon Hibbert set to defend triple jump title at 50th CARIFTA Games

NASSAU, Bahamas – Razorback freshman Jaydon Hibbert will represent Jamaica in the 50th CARIFTA Games, held from April 8-10 at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in the Bahamas. Competition in the U20 triple jump will take place on Monday, April 10.

“Competing for Jamaica is something that has always been special to me, especially for the CARIFTA Games” noted Hibbert. “Last year, CARIFTA Games was the best outdoor meet for me, and honestly, I enjoyed it fully. Especially, because it’s only the Caribbean.

“CARIFTA is one that will always stay close to my heart, and I’m really honored to compete in the Games once more in the hope of defending the title for my country while also representing the Razorbacks.”

Hibbert will compete at 4:40 p.m. (CT) on Monday. Coverage of the meet will be available here: https://www.panamsportschannel.org/main. Results will be available here: http://www.cfpitiming.com/2023_Outdoor_Season/Carifta_2023/Carifta_Games_2023.html.

“I’m super excited for Jaydon, who gets to go down there with his Jamaican teammates and represent his country,” said Arkansas associate head coach Travis Geopfert. “It’s a great opportunity for a young man that deserves it. He’s done a fantastic job for us.

“It’s a fun way to start the outdoor season. We’ll keep the reigns on him a little bit, he’s going to come from a short approach. I’m excited for him to be able to put that Jamaica uniform on again.”

In 2022, as a 17-year-old, Hibbert swept the CARIFTA U20 long and triple jump titles with winning distances of 25-0 (7.62) and 55-11.25w (17.05w). A secondary wind-legal triple jump mark of 54-0 (16.46) set the Games record, bettering the previous mark of 53-7.75 (16.35) set by Latario Collie-Minns of the Bahamas in 2012.

“Putting on that black, green, and gold is something I’ll always be excited to do,” stated Hibbert of the Jamaican colors. “While I love the Razorbacks, along with the red and white, I’ll always love my black, green, and gold.

“To open my outdoor season internationally is something I never thought I would do here at Arkansas. It’s going to be fun, and wearing the Jamaican colors is always special. Even when you walk around with the Jamaican gear, people look at you and know that’s the country where Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt come from.”

Geopfert added: “It’s a great opportunity for him to continue to learn in a setting that’s fun and with the Jamaican uniform on representing his country. He’s just a fantastic young man who is a great student of the event as well as a great student in the classroom. He’s done a great job representing our university and I’m excited for him to go represent his country again.”

Other Razorbacks who currently hold CARIFTA Games meet records include Kemoy Campbell in the 5,000m (14:34.34) from 2010, Rojé Stona in the discus (217-10 | 66.41) from 2017, as well as Omar McLeod as a member of the Jamaican 4 x 400m relay that posted a time of 3:05.68 in 2013.

Razorbacks who were recent winners at CARIFTA Games include Carey McLeod (long jump – 2017) and Wayne Pinnock (long jump – 2018, 2019).

“Any time you’re at a global championship it’s a little bit different,” noted Geopfert. “There are a few more hoops to jump through, the warm-up is a little bit different.

“So, when you can have different experiences on an international level it helps to season these young athletes and to know to expect the unexpected. We often talk about the bigger the meet the more obstacles there often are, so expect that.”

Hibbert’s debut indoor season with the Razorbacks produced numerous records when he won the NCAA Indoor triple jump with a first attempt leap of 57-6.5 (17.54), effectively ending the competition for first place in the opening round.

The tremendous effort, in which fans voted as the World Athletics moment of the month for March, broke the collegiate indoor record and Arkansas school record of 57-1 (17.40) held by legend Mike Conley since 1985. Hibbert also equaled the Arkansas outdoor record set by Conley in 1985 as they are equal No. 2 on the absolute collegiate all-time list.

On the World U20 level, Hibbert was already the youngest jumper to surpass 17 meters. He bettered the indoor U20 record of 56-5.25 (17.20) set by Melvin Raffin of France in 2017 as well as the outdoor U20 standard of 57-5 (17.50) set in 1985 by Germany’s Volker Mai.

Razorback alum Clive Pullen held the Jamaican indoor record of 56-4.75 (17.19) from 2017. Pullen also claimed the CARIFTA triple jump title in 2012.

Word of Hibbert’s outstanding performance spread quickly among Razorback and Jamaican fans.

“It’s been a lot fun with two different communities,” said Geopfert. “The University of Arkansas community celebrating a fantastic effort that was a collegiate and school record in breaking a mark held by Mike Conley.

“From a global scale, in breaking the world under 20 record the Jamaican people just celebrated that in a fantastic way as well. Track and field is very much appreciated in Jamaica. I’ve often compared it to baseball or football in the United States. Track and field is the national pastime.”

Hibbert added: “People are so proud of me and are really excited to see me at the CARIFTA Games. I’m still a Junior (U20) and want to enjoy myself as a Junior.

“Even though I’m going out there ahead of the field I’m remaining humble, because anybody can pop up. I popped up in two years. Overall, it’s going to be fun. Hopefully, I can break my record off a short approach.”