PROVO -- Senior jumper Rodrigo Mendes was named the Mountain West Conference Men's Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week after a record setting performance at the Clarence Robison Invitational on Saturday.
The native of Brazil leapt 56 feet on his final attempt in the triple jump, earning the No. 1 mark in the nation in the triple jump this year. His mark is more than 15 inches farther than the next mark.
"He was phenomenal," BYU men's track coach Mark Robison said. "That was about as much fun as you can have."
Mendes set a new Mountain West Conference record in the triple jump with his second attempt, receiving a mark of 54 feet 5.5 inches, which is also the second best jump in school history.
Unfortunately, Mendes' mark of 56 feet is not record book eligible because the wind was +2.3. But the mark still counts in national rankings.
Mendes' second attempt is record eligible, giving him the MWC record and second place in school history.
For more on Mendes and his amazing story, please read the article "Rodrigo Mendes: A Lifetime of Jumps" on the track and field page of www.byucougars.com.