Head Track & Field Coach Randy Almond congratulates Clement Huffman on his 2nd place finish at Regionals last Friday in Burlington, earning his spot in the State Championships.

AMHS’ Huffman qualifies for state in long jump

Craig Null

May 23, 2018

Clement Huffman is headed for the largest high school track meet in the nation.
Huffman, a junior at Altoona-Midway High School, will compete in the long jump event at the Kansas State High School Track Meet, to be held May 25-26 in Wichita.
Kansas combines all classes - from 1A to 6A - in its annual state track championships, making it the largest such meet in the country.
Huffman had a leap of 19 feet, 3 inches at Class 1A Regionals Friday at Burlington to earn his spot at the KSHSAA State Track Meet.
“I’m ready for state. It is awesome competing against the best long jumpers in 1A track and also in front of the all the people attending,” Huffman said. “It’s a thrill making it to the largest high school track meet in the nation and being in front of 10,000 plus people.”
AMHS Track Coach Randy Almond said, “Clement has worked very hard this season, consistently improving and peaking just in time for state competition. Everyone here is very happy for him and looking forward to this opportunity.”
Huffman’s leap of 19-3 at regionals was good enough for second place. He missed first place by just 1.25 inches.
“I had high goals for the meet,” he noted. “There were a few bumps in the road in other events but I’m glad that I preformed at a high level in long jump placing second and advancing my season to Friday.
“The regional was my first step in my comeback season to making it to state since my freshman year (Huffman qualified for state in the 800 meters in 2016),” Huffman added. “If it wasn’t for Coach Almond and Coach (Marci) Henderson pushing me I wouldn’t have competed at such a high level.”
Huffman and his coaches are looking to improve his distance at state. He has jumped over 20 feet earlier this year.
“We are expecting good results at state from Clement,” Almond remarked. “And since he is just a junior, there’s a good chance for even better things to come in the future for this fine young athlete”
The KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet will be held May 25-26 at Cessna Stadium, 21st and Hillside, on the campus of Wichita State University.
According to the KSHSAA website, Huffman is scheduled to compete in the 1A boys’ long jump competition at 3 p.m. Friday.
Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $7 for students K-12. There is no parking charge.