Road to Rio: Track & Field

Published by NBC4i.com on July 28, 2015

Michael Hartfield did not grow up wanting to be a long jumper. But he sure is glad he is one now.

“When I hit that board, it’s like the lights go out,” said Hartfield, “And then I kind of feel myself  through the air and then when I hit the sand, it’s like, bang, back on.”

The names and faces of all the Ohio State Olympians hang in the French Field House. Soon, there could be one more, Michael Hartfield. The long jumper on a short list to say he broke a record set by the great Jesse Owens.

“I end up breaking Jesse Owens’ record on my birthday my senior year and that’s when it really became real,” said Hartfield. “That’s Jesse Owens. That’s an Olympian. That’s a great. You can do this.”