BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

EUGENE, Ore. — Great Bend's 2-time state triple jump champion Cooper Ohnmacht has qualified for the Nike Outdoor National triple jump Sunday.

Ohnmacht owns a career best jump of 48-3. The 39-athlete elite flight at 11 a.m. Sunday showcases 20-and-under triple jumpers. Ohnmacht has captured the Kansas 5A triple jump with 47-11/2 and 47-31/2 marks the past two years.

The triple jump will be aired (runnersspace.com) on the internet.

"Cooper deserves all the praise because he could coach himself," said Great Bend assistant track coach Alex Birney. "His consistency is what's impressive. He knows which phase isn't right when he's jumping. It'll be a cool experience to compete at that level."

Birney said Ohnmacht quickly picked on the nuances of the triple jump.

"Most kids can't translate their ability into three triple jump phases," he said. "Cooper has always had a 17-to-18 foot third phase jump. But Cooper's strength and power has improved his second phase from 12 to 15 feet. He's gone from 155 pounds to 185 pounds, which is a whole new ballgame physically."

Birney said Ohnmacht's attention to detail and work ethic is a perfect mix.

"Fast athletes can long jump. But you've got to maintain a strong core to land three times," Birney said. "You've got to maintain strong tendons and ligaments. I knew Cooper was athletic. There's no way I thought he'd triple jump 48 feet."

Birney said Ohnmacht trusts is his ability and maintains a calm demeanor.

"Cooper is a competitive athlete," Birney said. "He's a gamer who rises to the challenge."