PEUBLO, Colo. – Freshman Rajaun Ricketts is hoping to carry on a new Benedict tradition and come home with a national championship, or at least an All-American trophy, in the triple jump.
 
Ricketts will be competing in the NCAA Division II outdoor national track & field championship in his signature event, the triple jump, Friday beginning at 7:05 p.m. Eastern. The NCAA is streaming the championships at NCAA.com.
 
"I'm really grateful to be here representing not only Benedict College, but also my country, Jamaica. I love it here so far. Everyone here is nice and I'm really happy to be here," Ricketts said.
 
He is following in the footsteps of Benedict's first-ever national champion, Shemar Miller, who won the triple jump event at the 2021 championship. Miller was instrumental in coaching and training the young protégé.
 
"He was very instrumental in my development," Ricketts said. "I have to give him a shout out, because without him, probably this wouldn't be possible. I'm just so grateful for his guidance and his patience. I'm just glad I got the chance to share some moments with him."
 
He said Miller's advice was to enjoy the competition.
 
"He just said everything is done in training, so I just need to execute and put it all together and just go out there and have some fun," Ricketts said.
 
And Ricketts understands what a big deal it is to compete on this national stage.
 
"It's a huge deal. Not only being a freshman, but it is the best of the best when it comes to Division II. It is a very proud moment for me," Ricketts said. "To be amongst not only the best jumpers, but the best athletes in the nation in my division at such a young age, I'm very grateful."
 
Benedict head track & field coach Danny Brooks said Ricketts has had two strong weeks of preparation leading up to the national championship, and is healthy. They arrived in Colorado on Tuesday to help acclimate to the higher elevations in Colorado.
 
"He's feeling good, he's looking good. We've had some great trips to the track this week since we've been here," Brooks said. "I really feel good about what might happen this weekend."
 
Brooks, in his first year as coach for the Tigers, is no stranger to the national championship stage, having coached many Division I athletes over his career. But having Ricketts compete as a first-year freshman is special, Brooks said.
 
He jumped a season-best 15.11 meters (49 feet, 7 inches) on April 14 at the Electric City Invitational in Anderson, S.C. Rickets is ranked 16th in the nation heading into the national championship, but is hoping for at least a top-eight finish. The top eight finishers are named All-American. He will be in the first flight of jumpers. Live stats will be available here.
 
"I believe anything can happen," Ricketts said. "I'm feeling good. I'm just hoping I can replicate everything that I've done in training and execute to the best of my ability. I'm not counting myself out. My aim really is to get to the top eight. I'm aiming to get one of those All-American trophies."