Austin Montgomery recorded a jump of 41 feet, 8 3/4 inches last weekend in the triple jump event at New Manchester High in Douglasville.
Joshua Tiggs, Montgomery's coach with AAU team The Speed Factory, noted that Montgomery, a rising sophomore for the Purple Hurricanes, improved by 3 feet from his previous jump at district.
Montgomery, who competed in the intermediate boys division, has made it to next month's AAU Junior Olympics, which are scheduled for July 25 through Aug. 4 in Houston.
It is the sort of thing Tiggs hoped for Montgomery when he spoke a couple of weeks ago.
"I have no doubt in my mind that he'll qualify for nationals," Tiggs said days after Montgomery finished third in a district qualifier. " ... I'm hoping so much that he does because if he does, or when he does, that's gonna help him to see [his potential]. It's gonna help him to take the lens off of his eyes, where he can see, 'Wow! For my age group, I'm really good at this and I know that as I continue to grow, I'm gonna be even better.' That's what I long for him to be able to see through ... this summer."
Montgomery qualified for nationals in his first attempt, but one last chance remains, Tiggs said, for other members of his Cartersville-based team to qualify.
Additionally, Tiggs said there is still time for interested local athletes to join The Speed Factory. For those wishing to join or for any other questions, call Tiggs at 470-334-9216.