By Sheri Duff 

Track and field athlete Will Northup is back after a season of injury. "I've been running and working out. I'm rested," states Northup after his first track and field competition of 2010.

"He's already jumped 41'2.5" at the first meet, and ran a 400m in 53.9 seconds, which are very impressive for this early in the season," said co-head track and field coach Eli Enman. His triple jump resulted in a first place finish in a tri-meet on April 14, and that result in itself validates Northup's impressive comeback.

Because the physical demands of the triple jump are so high, a strong combination of balance, strength, and speed are crucial for success. There are four key phases to a triple jump. The most critical to the success of the jump is the approach. The jump phases include the hop or the take off and landing on the same foot; the step landing on the opposite foot; and the jump or the landing in the pit like the long jump. The jump phase is where the action takes place and is where the original event received its moniker: the hop, step, and jump. The step phase is the most challenging. The beginning leg used in this phase absorbs a tremendous amount of force upon landing. Essentially, the body has to learn how to absorb and transfer up to 20 times its own body weight onto one leg. Obviously, this is difficult to do and if not done properly injury is the result. That is why balance, strength, speed, and proper training are so important. After he was sidelined with injury last year, no one understands that better than Northup himself.

In fact, according to coach Enman, "The key is to keep Will healthy. He is working through some injuries at the moment, and only time will tell if he can get through these to keep increasing his distances, and lowering his times." He added, "If Will can stay healthy and focused, he's got a great shot of setting the school record for triple jump, which is currently held by Sam Grover (46' 1") since 2004."

Northup began his triple jump training as a cross-country runner in middle school. Without a Shelburne track and field option, Northup attended track and field camp at Burlington High School every summer from the age of nine through 14. He began the triple jump in earnest once he reached Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU). And this is where he excelled. His first year at CVU, Northup jumped to a personal record (PR) event finish of 43' 6.25". As he tells it, that particular jump was his greatest achievement to date. "As a freshman I won the Division I State Championship in the triple jump," he said without hesitation.
This CVU senior also competes in the 400m run and the long jump. His PR for 400m is 53.7, another milestone achieved in his freshman year.

The 2008 Vermont High School Track & Field Top 10 lists Northup as tied for fifth in the triple jump 42'5.25 and third in the long jump with a 21'.25 according to Athletic.net. And that listing doesn't include his PR since that occurred in 2007.

In terms of pre-event personal routines, "I don't really have a ritual to speak of," Northup states. "I'm usually in my own little world. I take some private time to focus or visualize before my events." Coach Enman agrees, "Will is the type of kid with a really laid back attitude while not competing, but once you get him in a meet he focuses on what he's doing like a laser beam."

This musically inclined athlete plays both electric and acoustic guitar. "I have played guitar for eight years," Northup says adding, "My favorite music is blues and jam band."
After graduation, this only child of parents, William and Lisa, will attend either Castleton State College or the University of Vermont through its Continuing Education GAP program. Decision making time is looming and this reporter forecasts that he will focus and visualize himself right on track and excel at whatever he sets his mind to do.