Wilson braves injury, jumps his way to Olympics

Aarik Wilson stood on the runway knowing his last jump had to be his best. Wilson was fifth on the leaderboard in the triple jump at the Olympic Trials, with only the top three going to Beijing.

Running as fast as he could, he jumped off his left leg, burdened by four stress fractures, hoping he would fly through the air far enough to make his dream come true.

Mission accomplished. Wilson, who graduated from IU in 2005, jumped 57-2.25 feet to win the Olympic trials on Sunday in front of over 20,000 fans at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

As the Hoosier nation watched him compete, one of Wilson’s former teammates, Kiwan Lawson, erupted in joy when he realized Wilson would be going to the Olympics.

“I’m so glad he won it,” Lawson said. “He’s always been a great person and a phenomenal athlete.”

The days leading up to the competition were stressful for Wilson, who had not jumped or ran in over a month before he traveled to Oregon because of the stress fractures.

Instead Wilson did workouts on a bicycle and in the pool and received treatment from his doctor, who said his leg would take six to eight weeks to heal.

Wilson’s coach, former IU coach Wayne Pate, said there was not a lot of hope coming into the meet, but as he progressed through the preliminary rounds and finals, Wilson got stronger.

“He got more confident and brave with every jump,” Pate said.

Pate graduated from IU in 1981 and then spent the next 26 years as an assistant coach for the Hoosiers. Pate, who has twice been named National Assistant Coach of the Year, has coached 46 All-Americans and 7 national champions including Wilson, who Pate said is extremely driven to succeed.

“Aarik is one of those guys that hate to loose, which makes him a good athlete,” Pate said.

Lawson said he also thinks Wilson’s strong work ethic has been a key to the 10-time All-American’s success.

“His work ethic is pretty much second to none,” he said.

Wilson criticized the administration for not keeping Pate on the staff, saying he is the best coach in the country.

“I was completely spoiled at Indiana,” he said. “I really became a triple jumper there.”

Despite the advice from many within the program, Pate was not invited to return when new head coach Ron Helmer took over last summer. Instead he took a job at the University of Kansas, where Wilson traveled to remain with his coach. Wilson has given back to Kansas as well in being a volunteer assistant coach for the Jayhawks. Pate said his athlete has been a huge help, and thinks like a coach, often completing sentencing for Pate.

Wilson said he enjoys being part of the coaching staff and helping the younger kids with their goals and dream as well.

“Anything I can do to thank them for what they have given me is more than my pleasure,” he said.

Wilson, the 2008 USA indoor champion in the triple jump, was also joined by former All-American and previous teammate Kyle Jenkins in Oregon.

Jenkins finished 9th in the event with a near career best jump of 53-1.75 feet. Jenkins friend, teammate and roommate Lawson said he was excited to see Jenkins compete and knows his best is ahead of him.

“It’s just a matter of time before it comes together for Kyle,” he said.

Wilson also expressed happiness for having Jenkins there with him in the finals of the event.

“I was really proud of Kyle,” he said.

Wilson plans to visit with his doctor soon and map out a game plan for the next few weeks. He said the foot is sore, but he knew it would be coming in, and does not plan on competing on it before twraveling to Beijing.

As for predictions on how he will finish, both Wilson and Pate think he can be back close to 100 percent and contend for a medal.

“I believe in all my heart I can get a medal,” Wilson said. “I’m not going there to participate; I’m going there to win.”