Lutheran South News
'Every step is pure power': Lutheran South triple jumper Ben Long makes strong impression
AFFTON — Ben Long's form may be a little unorthodox in some people's eyes.
The Lutheran South senior doesn't so much glide down the runway as pound it into submission.
It's a little wild. A little untamed. A little feral. A little chaotic.
But it's all controlled. And to the Lutheran South faithful, it's beautiful.
"Everything is nice and strong, every step is pure power," Lutheran South assistant coach Richard James said. "He's just pure muscle on the ground. The way he jumps is gorgeous."
A three-sport athlete who will continue his track and field career at Washington University, Long is ready to put that refined chaos to good use in one final season for the Lancers after an all-state performance as a junior.
Long finished fourth in the boys triple jump at the Missouri Class 3 state track and field meet last season with a leap of 13.73 meters (45 feet, .50 inches). His personal best of 14.33 (47-0.25) was the fourth-best of any area athlete in 2024.
Also a state qualifier last year in the long jump, Long wasn't thinking about triple jump when he went out for track and field in elementary school.
Also a state qualifier last year in the long jump, Long wasn't thinking about triple jump when he went out for track and field in elementary school.
"My old coach told me to give the triple jump a try in fifth grade, and after I tried it, I just loved it," Long said. "I was naturally pretty good at it, and I've been doing it so long over the years I've gotten better and better and have grown my love for it that way."
As he continued to grow and learn more about the sport, Long saw his distances grow.
His personal bests kept coming by leaps and bounds.
"Last year was really my breakout year," Long said. "I'm just really excited to see what I can do this year. I've gotten better and better with each year."
Long also was a state triple jump qualifier as a sophomore, finishing 12th that season in Class 3.
Though Long's technique is a little different in appearance, James isn't in a hurry to make wholesale changes.
"With an individual like him, who's trained a lot already, you're just tweaking the little things," James said. "It's basically trying to squeeze a few more feet out of what we already have."
Long has been getting pushed on the runway by junior teammate Ike Fronabarger, who was a state long jump champion as a freshman at Vianney before transferring to South last year.
"He's one of the fastest kids I've ever met in my life," Long said. "It's cool because you have someone to push you in practice. He has a lot of knowledge with jumping as well and he can help me out in his ways and I help him out in my ways."
Fronabarger said there has been a level of respect between the two jumpers since he was a freshman.
"I looked up to him. He was a year older than me, at other meets, he was very good at triple jumps," Fronabarger said. "Long jump, I feel like I pushed him a lot."
James said he already has seen the benefits of the two jumpers working together on a daily basis.
"I think it's really great when you have another dog who can run with you," James said. "In track, some athletes are the guy and that's it. Not having someone around who can help you can make it hard. Having a guy who can be that person, it's a different atmosphere."
Long, Fronabarger and senior thrower James McCoy give the Lancers three pieces to make noise throughout the Class 3 postseason series. McCoy was a state qualifier last year in discus, shot put and javelin.
The Class 3 state meet is scheduled for May 23-24 at Jefferson City High School.
"Got to take it day by day," Long said.
Day by day for Long has meant representing Lutheran South.
From accumulating 1,400 yards of offense on the football team in the fall to scoring 402 points on the basketball team, he hardly has had time to breathe between sports.
But he wouldn't trade the busy schedule for anything.
"I think for any person trying to get good at something, you have to stay active year round," Long said. "Football and basketball, it's a lot of fun for me. At the same time I get to have fun with friends. I get to push myself at those sports."
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