PITTSBURG, K.S. - For the second year in a row, Joseph Oreva earned first-team All-American honors in the long jump after finishing sixth in the event at the NCAA Division-II Indoor National Championships.
In the prelims, Oreva finished second in his flight, completing all three jumps. After a first jump of just 7.07 meters, the sophomore exploded with a second jump of 7.33 meters to move into third. Oreva saved his best jump of flight one for his last jump, clearing 7.37 meters, just edging out Dodley Thermitus for second best in the flight.
Malcolm Wesley of Western Colorado finished first in flight one with a distance of 7.41 meters.
After much anticipation, Oreva made it into the finals as the number six seed. Connor Last of Washburn took the lead into the final eight after a jump of 7.76 meters into the final round.
Oreva recorded a pair of 7.47 meter long jumps in the finals, his longest of the season. He also recorded a jump of 7.45 meters on his fifth attempt. It is the first time that Oreva has not faulted in an event.
Oreva stayed at sixth in the finals, earning first-team All-American honors in the long jump for the second straight season.
"Proud is an understatement," says jumps coach Kris Potts-Howard. "All week we've talked about execution and execution is exactly what Joseph did. This is the first time Joseph has never fouled a jump during his jump series (to my knowledge). Joseph is the type of guy that I count on to get it done, and he did everything that I could've asked for and more."
Oreva is the first Carson-Newman long jumper to earn back-to-back first-team indoor All-American honors in program history.
"We've had a small battle with injuries since the beginning of the season, but Joseph blocked it out and showed the type of elite athlete that he is," says Potts-Howard. "With outdoor around the corner, Joseph needs a bit more live reps and practice and he will be just fine. It's been an exciting year thus far."
The Eagles will open up the 2022 outdoor season on Saturday, Mar. 19 at the Lee Invitational. More information on the event can be found at cneagles.com.
