Tyson Jr. Leaps to Third-Straight All-American Finish in Long Jump

Senior Greg Tyson Jr. (Lima, Ohio / Lima Senior) of the Heidelberg College men’s track and field team earned his third-consecutive All-American honor in the long jump following a runner-up finish at the 2008 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

The championships turned into being a home meet for Tyson, who originally hails from Lima, Ohio, which is just 30 minutes up the road from Ada. In front of a home crowd, Tyson leaped 23’10” to take second to Moravian College’s Beresford Brown’s jump of 23’11.75”. Tyson and Brown each recorded their final event placing in their preliminary flights, which saw the two in opposite groups.

It is the third-consecutive appearance at the indoor championships for Tyson, and his All-American honor increases his indoor total to four. In 2006, he also took home All-American recognition in the triple jump. Combining indoor and outdoor track, Tyson is a 12-time All-American.

Tyson was the two-time defending National Champion in the event. His All-American finishes are an impressive feat for any athlete, but Tyson combines his indoor track and field season with the Heidelberg’s men’s basketball team. His winter months are devoted to basketball, which saw him lead the Berg to a conference tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Tyson was playing in the men’s basketball NCAA Tournament exactly one week ago.

Fellow Heidelberg long jumper sophomore Julius Higginbotham (Elyria, Ohio / Elyria) represented Heidelberg at the championships as well. Higginbotham jumped 22’1”, just missing the finals. It was Higginbotham’s first appearance at the indoor championships.

Also joining Tyson and Higginbotham was two other Ohio Athletic Conference jumpers. Ohio Northern’s Ryan Robertson finished third at 23’4.50” and Wilmington College’s Marque Jones took seventh with a jump of 22’10.75”. Both earned All-American honors in the event.