Armon Seems Primed for Big Year

UCLA long jumper Juaune Armon enjoyed a breakthrough season last year with victories in the Pacific 10 and NCAA West Regional championships. They were redeeming moments after a knee injury at the end of his sophomore year had led to subpar marks in those meets.

Armon wasn’t competing in his specialty on the first day of the Rafer Johnson-Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational, but he used the meet to accelerate his training for what he hopes will be a season of larger achievements.

“I think I earned a little more respect on a national scale,” said Armon, who finished sixth in the NCAA meet. “I had jumped 26-3 in my sophomore year, but I think a lot of people saw that as a fluke because of the injuries. I got a lot more consistent last year.”

Armon finished second in the 100 meters and triple jump Friday at Drake Stadium. For the senior, those events were an opportunity to work on his approach from a standpoint of speed and stride.

Working with him is new Bruin jump coach Robert Johnson, a former All-American in the triple jump at Appalachian State.

Johnson has been pushing his pupil into more weight training and emphasizing technique on the runway.

“He’s just as raw as he can be,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot untapped. We just want to do things right.”

Armon, a San Jose native, said he has his mind set this season on flying past the UCLA school record of 27 1/2 set by James McAlister in 1973.

“It’s a long season.” he said. “Right now, My legs aren’t too fresh because we’re still working real hard in the weight room. I want to peak at the right time.”