Nairn sets Bahamian long jump record

Nairn sets Bahamian long jump record
University of Arkansas Razorbacks triple jumper Laquan Nairn at the American track League 3 meet held in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in February 2021.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Long jumper Laquan Nairn set a new national record in his specialty event over the weekend in a second-place finish at the American track League 3 meet held in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Nairn, a redshirt senior at the University of Arkansas, topped the previous national record of 26’ 7” (8.10 meters), which was set by Leevan Sands back in 2004 at the SEC Indoor Championships, with a leap of 26’ 9 ¼” (8.16m). Nairn’s previous indoor career-best was 26’ 3 ¼” (8.02m) at last year’s SEC Championships.

“Not competing in almost a year is tough, but I’ve been putting in a lot of work,” noted Nairn, who currently ranks fourth on the 2021 world list. “I’m more disciplined and a better listener. I started to value my coaches and my trainers, and everybody at this university more and more each day.

“So, that played a huge part in me coming out and competing and performing the way I did.

“I’m excited to compete in the Razorback gear outdoor and I think it’s going to be good. We have a lot of great jumpers coming back and we still have a lot of good guys who have an indoor season. I’m just focused on getting better each day and staying focused on my goals that me and my coach have set for the season.”

About Randy Smith

Randy Smith is the producer of the widely-watched local television show “Beyond The Headlines” and the web content manager of Eyewitness News. He joined Eyewitness News as a sportscaster in 2018, a role he still performs, and has previously covered a slew of international sporting events, including the 2015 Pan American Games, the Nike EYBL Showcase, several IAAF World Relays, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Bahamas Bowl and multiple CARIFTA Swimming and Track & Field Championships. Randy has been recognized by the Bahamas Press Club with awards for “Best Sports Broadcast” as a sportscaster and “Best TV Talk Show” as a producer.