To go from a second-place freshman, being beaten by more than a foot, to setting national elite distances in the triple jump takes hard work and dedication. That is the story behind our Most Improved athlete for this month, Liberty County’s Alyisha Anderson. The sophomore has become one of the top track athletes in Southeast Georgia in the triple jump. She also competes in the 200 meters and anchors the 4×100 meter relay. Anderson figured out the formula for getting even longer jumps: Leg strength + good technique = distance. So during the summer, she became involved in Olympic weightlifting under the guidance of Coach Keith McGee. She has become one of the predominant jumpers in Southeast Georgia, regularly registering national elite distances in the triple jump; she also qualified for the Class AAAA State Meet this year in the event. Perhaps even more impressive is Anderson’s perfect 4.0 grade point average, which will go far in attracting the attention of college scouts.
“I believe I have improved in multiple aspects of my athletics, including my lifting, vertical, 40-yard dash, hitting average, and mostly my jumping, increasing an entire foot on my personal record. I’ve trained through the summer as far as lifting and strengthening my legs. I have also worked on my form, which makes an immense difference in jumping distance. My daddy instilled in me to break records every time I jump, meaning to improve every time I step on the jumping runway.”
Where She Was
Anderson started competing in the triple jump last year as a freshman for the Liberty County Lady Panthers Track Team. It was tough getting started. She was jumping well for a beginner, but consistently placing second to another jumper, who would usually beat her by more than 12 inches.
The Turning Point
The Region 3-AAAA Region Track and Field Championships in 2014. She surprised everyone, including herself, when she set a new personal best to win the region triple jump crown last year as a freshman, while competing against the defending champion and season-long nemesis. On her final jump, Anderson broke 36’ for the first time, setting a national elite distance.
By The Numbers
Personal Bests: Then and Now
Clean: Went from 45 to 85 kg
Squat: Went from 150 to 240 lbs
Vertical Jump: Went from 25” to 31.4”
40-Yard Dash: Went from 5.35 to 4.90 seconds
Triple Jump: Went from 36’1” to 37’6”
Most Improved Player
Alyshia Anderson
Liberty County High School
By Rob Asbell
