AUSTIN — Smithville’s Jordan Runnels has to wait another day.
A near five-hour lightning delay forced the University Interscholastic League to reschedule the Class 3A triple jump in which Runnels was slated to compete on Friday at Mike A. Meyers Stadium in Austin.
The event is now scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
“He’ll be ready to go,” said coach Cyriil Adkins. “He was very relaxed this morning and just ready to compete. That’s not going to change in (12 hours).
Runnels will be jumping against some of the best triple jumpers in the nation.
Taylor’s Mark Jackson, who will join the University of Texas track and field team next year, carries the one of the top distances in the nation and is seeded No. 1 with a qualifying jump of 51 feet, 5.75 inches.
The No. 2 seed is Jarrion Lawson of Texarkana Liberty Eylau with a distance of 48-3.
Runnels enters the state championships with a distance of 44-8, which has him seeded eighth.
Elgin’s Desarae Couthren is still scheduled to compete today at 6:45 p.m.