Date Posted: 6/17/2008

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate standout track & field participant Perrish Goggins has not slowed down since the school year came to an end in May. The rising sophomore cleared a personal best of 6-10 1/4 (2.09m) to win the high jump at the USATF South Carolina Junior Olympic Championships held at Winthrop University over the weekend.

By clearing better than 6-10, Goggins qualified to participate in the 2008 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend, June 20-22, at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University. He will compete in the high jump at 3:00 p.m. Sunday. In addition, he has qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic Regional Championships to be held July 10-13 in Rock Hill, S.C., and will compete in both the high jump and the decathlon. If he finishes in the top three, he will qualify for the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships July 22-27 at Burke Stadium in Omaha, Neb.

"It was a big step in my track career," said Goggins. "I really didn't expect it. It's a great feeling to be able to make such an unexpected accomplishment. I am going to focus on doing what I have to do to get the job done. I am extremely excited for what the summer could hold. I know I need to work a little harder so that I can do better. I always want to progress and do my best."

"Jumping 6-10 1/4 is a huge accomplishment," said Upstate head coach Jimmy Stephens "To do that and qualify for Junior nationals, which is a very prestigious event, is awesome. Most college freshman strive to qualify for Junior Nationals. He will be competing against some big-time athletes and he has stepped up to become a big-time athlete himself."

Goggins, from Columbia, S.C., won the event by bettering second place by over eight inches. He participated against seven other individuals in the high jump. Six of the eight participants cleared heights with Goggins clearing the top height. Breon Jackson finished second in the event, while Giorgio Perrett, from Spartanburg, finished third.

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