Academy of Art University Athletics

Craig Mattox literally jumped out of the gate in the Urban Knights' opening weekend in New York. Putting his talents on display in each of ART U track & field's three meets, Mattox finished first in every long jump competition and came away with a NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

At the season-opening St. Thomas Aquinas Spartan Region Invitational on Jan. 13, Mattox finished five inches ahead of the next closest competitor with a 23-8 (7.21m) distance. The mark made him a NCAA provisional qualifier and was surpassed the following day with his 23-11.75 (7.31m) at the Great Dane Classic on Jan. 14. Achieving that distance on his first attempt, he would seal the win as no competitor came closer than 11 inches of his mark. Mattox completed the weekend at the Towson Tiger Invitational with a 23-9.5 (7.25m) good for the best among 22 jumpers.

With the sand now settled, Mattox is ranked third in the country in the long jump.