Joyner-Kersee Starts Long Jump at the Top

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, competing in her first open long jump competition since winning the 1988 Olympic gold medal, had the best performance by an American this year during qualifying at the USA/Mobil National Track and Field Championships Friday at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

Joyner-Kersee, the American record-holder, leaped 22 feet 9 inches on her first attempt in leading the qualifying for Saturday’s final.

“I was surprised,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I was not looking for that distance today.”

“Her speed and strength are there,” Bob Kersee, her husband and coach, said. “Her speed is better than it’s ever been.”

Joyner-Kersee, tuning up for next month’s heptathlon in the Goodwill Games at Seattle, was to put the shot later Friday.

She is the world record-holder and Olympic champion in the heptathlon and is seeking to break her mark of 7,291 points set at the Seoul Games.

“My favorite number this year is 73,” Kersee said of the hopes he has for his wife of breaking the 7,300-point barrier.

While expressing pleasure over the showing in the long jump qualifying, both Kersees were not completely satisfied because she missed the takeoff board.

“The key to me was running relaxed today,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I was forcing the speed. I get anxious when I’m long jumping.”

Joyner-Kersee set the American record of 24-5 1/2 in the 1987 Pan American Games at Indianapolis.