ASU’s Cervantes Jackson named USTFCCCA Field Athlete of the Year

ALBANY — Albany State men’s track and field athlete Cervantes Jackson was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Association (USTFCCCA) National Field Athlete of the Year. The award was presented to Jackson after he won two national titles at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Jackson, a sophomore from Bainbridge, entered the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships with top-10 marks in the long jump, high jump and triple jump. He took first in the triple jump with a jump of 53-5¾ and high jump with a jump of 7-1, while also finishing 4th in the long jump. He totaled 25 points for Albany State in that meet.

Jackson became the first Golden Ram in school history to win NCAA titles in two field events and the first to bring home any title since 2009. He was also named an All-American in all three events while earning All-American status from the USTFCCCA

After a ceremony held at Albany State last week honoring Jackson for his national titles, he said he believes the real work starts now as the pressure’s on him not only to defend his titles, but acquire a few others as well.

“It feels amazing, but the downside is I have to do it again next year,” he said. “It’s a lot of pressure. Next year I have to win long jump and they want me to qualify for the decathlon and then the 4 X 100 and then the hurdles, so I have four more events I’m trying to qualify for.”

Sherie Gordon, director of athletics for ASU, said that Jackson, as well as the entire coaching staff, has made the school proud.

“I think it’s incredible and is a testament to our coaches and our student athletes and their hard work,” she said. “Obviously CJ is a special talent and to be able to compete in that many events and be successful speaks to his abilities and our coaching staff preparing him.”