Jordan Tyrance enters the boys state meet this weekend with the top triple-jump mark in Class D, an effort of 46 feet, 2 inches. That's fourth in all classes this season.
RON POWELL / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 7:00 pm
When it comes to football for Jordan Tyrance, father knows best. His dad, Pat Tyrance, was a three-year letterman at Nebraska (1988, ’89 and ’90) and an Academic All-American linebacker in 1990 for the Huskers.
But when it comes to track for the Parkview Christian sophomore, it’s his mom who knows best. Jordan enters the boys state meet this weekend with the top triple-jump mark in Class D, an effort of 46 feet, 2 inches. That’s fourth in all classes this season.
The 46-2 also gives him bragging rights at home. His mother, the former Renita Robinson, was the 1989 NCAA women’s outdoor national triple-jump champion as a member of the Nebraska track team. Her PR outdoors was a 44-7½ wind-aided, while her 44-6 indoors stands third on NU’s all-time charts.
“She used to tease me how she could jump further than I could when she was still competing,” Jordan said. “Now I tell her, ‘Not anymore.’”
Jordan didn’t beat his mom’s personal records last week at districts, however. He won the district title with a 44-2¾, which was second when stacked up against all of the Class D district results. John Kersenbrock of St. Mary’s goes into state as the top-seed with a 44-4 at districts.
Having a mom with that kind of triple jump background comes in handy when he needs his steps or technique analyzed. “She does extra stuff with me when I need it, but she doesn’t force things on me,” Jordan said.
Jordan’s track coach at Parkview Christian has an impressive resume, as well. Carol Frost was the head women’s coach at Nebraska from 1976 through 1980 and threw the discus in the 1968 Olympics.
At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Jordan is bigger than most jumpers. But his speed down the runway, explosiveness and well-taught technique allow him to overcome the size obstacle.
“Jordan is technically very sound,” Frost said. “He has long, long strides and outstanding leaping ability. He’s long and lean right now and very strong.”
The only regret Frost has about the sophomore standout is she’s been unable to get him into the high hurdles. She’s coached state champion hurdlers in four different states, including her son, Scott, the former standout Nebraska quarterback who led the Huskers to the 1997 national championship.
“Jordan has this long stride and is really coordinated, but we had a little difficulty with him and the hurdles,” Frost said, laughing.
Tyrance was fifth at state a year ago in the triple jump, going 42-11¼. He jumped 46-2 at the Frontier Conference meet, helping the Patriots win the team title. While Jordan is also qualified for state in the long jump, the 100 and the 400 relay, the triple jump will be his main focus.
“Going 47 (feet) was my goal for the year, and if the conditions are right, I can get it,” Tyrance said. “I improved two feet at conference, and I think I can make another jump like that.”
Jordan isn’t the only Tyrance competing at state this weekend. His older brother, Patrick, won both the 200 and 400 at districts and ran a leg on the 400 relay.
“He’s faster than I am, I’ve never beaten him in the 100,” Jordan said of Patrick, a senior who is signed to play football next fall at Concordia. “It’s close when we race, but he usually gets me.”
The state meet will be Jordan’s final athletic competition as a Patriot. He’s transferring to Lincoln Southwest for his junior year where he will also be a three-sport athlete, going from running back/linebacker in football to small forward in basketball.
“It’s (transferring) something we’ve talked about for a while,” said Jordan, who has been in the Parkview school since first grade. “I want to see what it’s like at a bigger school with more competition.”
Jordan, however, is nowhere near ready to specialize in one sport. “I enjoy playing all of them,” he said.
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.