Q&A With Track Student-Athlete JuVaughn Harrison: King of Jumps
Q: When did you start competing in track?
A: I’ve been doing track for pretty much my whole life. My family has always done it, so I have been around it my whole life.
Q: When did you decide to focus on jumps?
A: In my senior year of high school, I realized I was a better jumper. So, I decided to focus on that.
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about each event?
A: My least favorite thing about high jump is that it takes a while because we have a lot of competitors. My least favorite thing about long jump is that people build their runways differently, so we might be faster or slower on certain ones. My favorite thing about both is the excitement and the feeling of doing well. And, obviously, winning. Winning is fun.
Q: Do you prefer one event over the other?
A: No, I like them both equally.
Q: How and why did you choose LSU?
A: The coaching staff and Coach Todd. Coach Todd showed a real interest in me more than the other coaches that were recruiting me. He really made LSU seem like a family. He would communicate with me and my mom frequently, and always kept her involved. On my visit, I felt really welcomed.
Q: Did you ever play any other sports?
A: I played soccer until freshman year of high school, I played football for freshman and sophomore year, and then I did basketball all the way up until the end of my junior year. My senior year is when I decided to focus strictly on track.
Q: You have had an incredible impact on LSU’s team and have been making history every season. Your accolades include:
2021 Bowerman Watch List
2021 Men’s Indoor National Field Athlete of the Year
2021 NCAA Indoor Champion- High Jump and Long Jump
2021 SEC Indoor Champion- High Jump and Long Jump (Meet record in LJ)
2021 Cliff Harper Award Winner- Highest Point Scorer of the SEC Championship Meet
Multiple-time SEC Field Athlete of the Week
First man in NCAA Indoor history to sweep high jump and long jump national titles at the same meet
Most prolific one-day high jump/long jump performer in world history
#8 in the world all-time, #3 American and collegiate of all-time in long jump
2019 NCAA Champion - Outdoor High Jump - 2.27m (7' 5.25")
2019 NCAA Champion - Outdoor Long Jump - 8.20m (26' 11")
2020 SEC Champion – Indoor High Jump – 2.26m (7’ 5”)
2019 SEC Champion – Outdoor High Jump – 2.24m (7’ 4.25”)
2019 SEC Champion – Indoor High Jump – 2.28m (7’ 5.75”)
2019 The Bowerman Semifinalist
First man in NCAA outdoors history to sweep high jump and long jump NCAA titles
7x All-American (‘19 indoor high jump, ‘19 outdoor long jump, ‘19 outdoor high jump, ‘20 indoor long jump, ‘20 indoor high jump, ‘21 indoor long jump, ‘21 indoor high jump )
2019 USTFCCCA Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year
2018 U20 Bronze World Medalist (High Jump)
2018 USATF Junior High Jump and Long Jump Champion
2x All-SEC First Team
3x All-SEC Performer
2018 All-SEC Freshman Team
2017 New Balance Indoor Nationals Silver Medalist (High Jump)
8x Alabama State Champion in HS
How has it felt to achieve so much success? Do you ever feel additional pressure, or are you able to stay composed?
A: There is always pressure whenever it comes to doing two events and actually being able to win both events, especially in a sport where it is a team thing and everything is based on points. I always say this: I’m nervous until I take my first jump, and once I do that I’m just having fun and doing what I love.
Q: What has been your most meaningful accomplishment to date?
A: All of my NCAA titles. It’s not easy to win an NCAA title, let alone win two in two different jump events.
Q: What is the most important thing about being a part of a team like LSU?
A: The team itself. The most important thing is making sure that we all respect each other and push each other to do better.
Q: Can you speak about your relationship with Coach Todd and Coach Shaver?
A: I have a great relationship with them. Anything I need, I never feel like I can’t talk to them about it. If I’m hurting or anything, they always make sure I’m taken care of and that everything is situated.
Q: What impact have your teammates had on you?
A: My teammates have had a lot of impact on me. Sometimes I take my time on things, and they push me to get it done faster. Or, if I’m in my head, they help me get out of my head.
Q: As a jumper, you are still considered one of the fastest guys on the team. Have you ever considered sprinting as well, or is that a huge no from you and/or your coaches?
A: I have always thought about sprinting or doing a sprint event. At the end of the day, this is a business and I was recruited for jumps. I put up big points in those events, so the coaches aren’t going to risk me getting hurt in a sprint event.
Q: Is it hard to transition between high jump and long jump when you have to do both at the same meet?
A: It was a challenge in the beginning, like my freshman year, because I had never had to do both at a level as high as this. Eventually, it became second nature. I know what to do for each one and I just have to go out there and do it. The only thing is how long high jump takes and how fatigued my body is after it.
Q: What was it like competing on the international stage when you competed at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships?
A: It gave me a lot of exposure. It gave me a sneak peek into what bigger meets would be like with the travel and everything. I got a feel for what it would be like to wear the Team USA uniform as well. It was a good experience and it was a needed experience.
Q: What is your best memory as an athlete?
A: 2021 Indoor Nationals. Technically, I felt like it was my best meet. Once I got going in high jump, I felt like I had everything together and could have jumped higher bars. As far as long jump goes, I was hurt, but I felt like the stuff I was working on in practice was starting to come together.
Q: What are your goals for outdoor this year, and beyond? Olympic aspirations?
A: Outdoor nationals are the next big meet. I want to win nationals in both events again and I want to make the Olympic team.
Q: Who is your role model/inspiration?
A: My mom. She has a done a lot and sacrificed a lot for me to get to where I am.
Q: Do you have a pre-meet ritual or any superstitions?
A: I like to have my hair braided or tied back whenever I jump. I have two chains that I wear, but I always have to have the one chain that my mom gave me. I also have to play Lil Uzi in my headphones when I warm up. I also say a prayer before each jumps competition.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Jamaican Stew Peas
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: Lil Uzi Vert
Q: What are some of the things you do outside of practice?
A: Sleep, eat and play video games
