OMAHA, Neb. – Imani Skanes, a freshman at the College of St. Mary’s, made history by winning the long jump at the NAIA Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida, from March 5-7. This victory marks the first-ever national championship for the College of St. Mary’s in any sport.
A Historic Achievement
Skanes, who hails from Omaha, jumped an impressive 19 feet, 8 inches in the final to capture the gold. Her achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for the Flames’ track and field program.
“It means a lot, especially showing that we can always come together and do what some people probably couldn’t really do,” Skanes shared with Hurrdat Sports. She expressed feeling “exhilarated” after her victory, reflecting, “I really just came out there and did what I had to do.”
A Tense Final Round
Skanes entered the finals in third place after jumping 19 feet, 2 inches, behind Ottawa’s JayOnna Perry (19 feet, 4.7 inches) and Montana Tech’s Jadyn Vermillion (19 feet, 3.1 inches). On her fifth jump, she took the lead and never looked back.
“Since I was in the finals, that’s the moment where I could just enjoy and have fun and just let everything loose,” Skanes said. “With that being the mindset, it made for that jump to be easier.”
Coaching and Support
Skanes’ head coach, Steve Gordon, has known her since she was 7 years old. Gordon, who coached her through her high school years and now as her collegiate coach, was just as stunned by the victory as Skanes was.
“We’re going into the finals in third place,” Gordon recalled. “We had to wait and see, and when her distance popped up, I was the last one to see it. It was pretty exciting.”
While Skanes remained calm and composed, Gordon noted that her teammates were ecstatic, celebrating her achievement.
Early Beginnings and Family Support
Skanes, an Omaha Northwest High School graduate, began competing in track and field at 7 years old. With the support of her parents, she competed in long jump, triple jump, and the 100-meter dash.
She developed a passion for long jump, stating, “It came from my parents and then progressed on to the feeling it gave me when I did well.”
She continued her track career in high school and received offers from multiple universities, including Omaha and Wichita State, but ultimately chose the College of St. Mary’s for its welcoming environment.
Looking Ahead
As the indoor track and field season wraps up, Skanes looks forward to the outdoor season, starting with the Central Nebraska Challenge on March 28. She’s aiming to jump even farther, targeting the 20-foot mark. Her coach, Gordon, also has bigger plans for the team.
“I’ve told anyone who will listen, track and field is one of the more fair and equal sports,” said Gordon. “Imani’s victory proves that we can train top-level athletes here, even at a small school, and compete with anyone in the world.”
This win has certainly put the College of St. Mary’s track and field program on the map, and the Flames are excited about the future.
