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Armory Feature: Omar Craddock is a Man on a Mission

Published by
ArmoryTrack.org   Mar 27th 2015, 1:39pm
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By Justin Gaymon //  Photo by John Nepolitan

New York, March 27, 2015 - Omar Craddock wants you to notice the reflection from his earrings, necklace and sunglasses when he steps on the runway. Not because he’s materialistic, but to gain your attention.

“Once I’m on the runway I try to get all eyes on me,” said the triple jumper. “Our event gets overshadowed, so when I jump, I try to bring something more to the table so people want to see me.”

He understands that for the field events, showmanship is just as important now as results. Despite that, Craddock also often finds himself fighting to escape the shadow of his former University of Florida teammates, Christian Taylor and Will Claye, who won gold and silver at the 2012 Olympic games.

Craddock missed going to London by one spot after finishing fourth at the 2012 Olympic trials, but turned that into a positive experience that fueled him to win the USATF Outdoor national title in 2013 and compete in the ensuing IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

“I wanted to go to the Olympics, that didn’t happen, but when 2013 came around I told myself that I was going to win that US title and go to Russia.”

Craddock continued to jump well into this past indoor season, taking second at the Armory Track Invitational with an indoor personal best jump of 16.87 (55’ 4 ¼”) and winning the USATF Indoor National Championship title with 16.84m (55’ 3”).

Despite the success, Craddock is currently without a paid sponsorship. He’s a member of the Jumps Corps (a field events specialty training and scholastic education club), but works full-time as a fitness trainer to support his athletic career.

“It gets frustrating, especially when you know you deserve it, but I just use it all as motivation to get better.”

As a youth, Craddock enjoyed playing football, basketball and baseball in his hometown of Killeen, TX., but realized he had elite level triple jump potential as an eighth grader in 2005.

“I was actually a high jumper at the time, and I had tried everything else but the triple. But one day at practice the coach came to me and said ‘you know what Omar, you look like a triple jumper.’ I looked at him and said how do I look like a triple jumper? And he just told me go out there, jump twice on one leg, switch to the other and land in the pit. So I did that.”

Craddock took the advice and went on to be a star triple jumper at Killeen High School and Richard Milburn Academy, where he took second at the AAU Junior Olympics and was the 2008 state champion.

When he joined Taylor and eventually Claye at the University of Florida, Craddock brought with him the energy and enthusiasm that had made successful while in high school.

“I’m very hardnosed when it comes to training and I want everybody that’s around me to fuel off of me. I’m always bringing some kind of attitude, whether it’s pleasant or something you dislike.”

That attitude helped the three establish themselves amongst the country’s top triple jumpers.  

 

NCAA Outdoor Champions          USATF Outdoor Champions

2013: Omar Craddock                      2014: Will Claye

2012: Omar Craddock                      2013: Omar Craddock

2011: Christian Taylor                      2012: Christian Taylor

2010: Christian Taylor                      2011: Christian Taylor

2009: Will Claye

 

“I’m a fun guy, but I don’t speak too much while I’m out there on the track. Will, CT and I are very cool outside of the track, but when we’re on the track it’s strictly business. There’s no hard feelings to anybody, but I’m there to beat you.”

Craddock’s biggest goal for the upcoming outdoor season is to make the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China. He lists his physical strength and dedication to studying videos of himself as well as other triple jumpers as keys to his recent success and is currently working to improve his speed and ability to run clearly through the triple jump board.

“This is like a redemption year for me. I want to remind people of who I am. I’m still out here. I’m Omar Craddock and I’m coming for people.”



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