At New Balance Nationals Indoor, Samiyah Samuels jumped 21-3ΒΌ to win the girls long jump--the best a high school girl has jumped indoors since 1981. Samuels is a senior at Cypress Springs in Texas, and headed to the University of Houston--where her longtime family friend Carl Lewis is an assistant coach--in the fall. We caught up with her over email before she competes at this weekend's Victor Lopez Classic in Houston.
MileSplit: How far do you think you can jump outdoors?
Samiyah Samuels: I believe I can go as far as 22. [Ed: Only three high schoolers have ever jumped 22 feet or farther]
What's your favorite jump workout?
My favorite workout is short approach jumps/run-throughs.
What's your least favorite jump or sprint workout?
My least favorite workout is bounding drills.
My least favorite workout is bounding drills.
What does it feel like when you're in the air and you already know you hit a huge jump? (We saw Grant Holloway scream mid-air earlier this year)
Well all I can remember is the feeling in my stomach that I get when I know I got a good jump in. I try to hold that feeling in my core as long as possible.
What's the best advice Carl Lewis has ever given you?
"It takes about 10,001 practices to make something perfect!"
What's on your playlist on the bus or flight to a meet?
Trap and chopped and screwed music. Also, I can't go wrong with a little Bryson Tiller to calm me down.
What do you eat in the offseason when you're treating yourself?
Ice cream and hot fries.
What's the latest show you've binge-watched?
Grey's Anatomy.
What's the worst movie you've seen in the last two years?
50 Shades of Grey.
