At least once a year at the beginning of the school year Cahokia head coach Leroy Milsap goes over his inventory for the season. He mentioned the name “Ward.” I cut him off and said ‘La’Derrick Ward? I thought he graduated.’ Coach Milsap retorted: “he did. I’m talking about his younger brother Ja’Mari Ward. He’s a freshman and he is going to be better than his big brother.” The somewhat boastful poke seemed ludicrous at the time considering La’Derrick’s achievements (2009 state long jump champion) on a perennial state power team. Now he is starring for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Ja’Mari Ward was indeed the freshman sensation that his coach predicted. He grew up in a hurry to become the face of a program filled with super talent. One athlete in particular with tremendous arsenal is teammate senior Chris Moore. Moore could have been AOY because of the stats that he put up during the season: 38.50 (300H), 24-8.5 (LJ), 48-10.25 (TJ). The veteran captain served the team well in a myriad of events, but more importantly he mentored the young Ward well both in the present and for the future.
Ward first made an impact in the middle-school ranks setting an AAU national age group record in the LJ (22-11). He also leaped over 45-feet in the triple jump and cleared six feet in high jump.
The 2013 indoor season would prove to be an extension of the summer and the high school coming out party. Ward tripled 46-9 in his first meet and placed second at the University of Arkansas HS Invitational. It was from that moment that a legend was in the making. Ward would go on to win the Illinois Top Times long jump title and place second in his favored leap frog event. His team also won the inaugural team championship.
After the cover was taken off of the indoor season, Ward continued his winning ways breezing through the regular season. He ran on several blistering relays that ranked #1 in the state. However, it would be the jumps that paid the bills for Ward. The youngster strolled into state with sweet personal bests of 24-2 and 48-6.5. Ward won his first of what could be many state titles copping the long jump in 23-4.75. He would later go on to place third in the triple jump and run a leg on the 4x4 relay. Oh yeah and the Comanches won their third team championship in a row.
It was a great year for Ward and for the dynasty Comanches. The competition better get used to it. We all may be seeing more of this for the next three years.
Congrats to Ja’Mari Ward for earning 2A Boys Athlete of The Year!
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