March 14, 2015
Vanderbilt’s All-Time All-Americans
Vanderbilt sophomore Simone Charley didn’t just rise to the occasion Saturday, she soared beyond it.
Delivering the latest remarkable performance of her record-breaking career, Charley captured fourth place in the triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a leap of 43-2.25 in Fayetteville, Ark.
Charley earned First Team All-American honors with her jump and garnered five points for the Commodores while competing against the nation’s Top-16 triple jumpers.
“It was a very exciting night for me,” said Charley. “And it was satisfying to know that all the hard work that we put in paid off. I am so appreciative of all the hours that Coach Hump (assistant coach Clark Humphreys) has worked with me.”
Florida senior Ciarra Brewer won Saturday’s event with a leap of 45-11.75.
Charley, who is also a standout on the Vanderbilt soccer team, finished third at the SEC Championships two weeks ago with a jump of 43-5.25 to break her own school record. She then followed that up with her terrific showing Saturday.
“She’s had a fantastic season,” said Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith, “and it was great to see her follow through tonight like she did. (Humphreys) has done a great job working with her, and Simone has executed.”
Charley hit her top mark on Saturday on her first attempt, and it carried her into the finals — and ultimately, to her fourth-place finish.
“She came out of the block — to use a sprinter’s phrase — extremely well,” said Humphreys. “She, along with some of the other girls, came out hot from the start. It was exciting to watch.”
Charley said before the meet that she wasn’t focused on where she placed; rather, she simply wanted to have a personally-satisfying performance. Obviously, that mind-set worked effectively.
“I just feel so blessed to have had this opportunity,” she said. “I believe that with God all things are possible.”
Although Charley was competing at the Indoor Championships for the first time, she is making a habit of competing at national meets. She earned a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last spring — and produced a ninth-place finish. Charley also competed in the national Junior championships last summer, taking third place and setting a school record.
“She is really developing,” said Keith. “She has accomplished a lot already, and she has a great future out ahead of her. We look forward to having her contribute for us for years to come.”
The soft-spoken and humble Charley said she tried to block out the added pressure of Saturday’s intense environment.
“There were definitely some extra nerves for me tonight,” she said. “And it’s hard trying to convince yourself that this is just another meet when you look around and see all those national championship banners hanging everywhere. But I really just tried to do my best.”
Clark has been watching Charley deliver clutch performances since she first arrived at Vanderbilt, and he was not surprised that she delivered again.
“One of the single hardest things for an athlete to do is to get hot at the right time,” said Clark. “It’s almost an art and a science in itself. But that’s one of the things that makes Simone so special. She just thrives under pressure. … This whole season has been a stair step for her, and she has continued to just keep progressing. And tonight, she came through again.”
Thanks to Charley’s five points, the Commodores finished in a tie for 38th in the team standings, which will benefit Vanderbilt in the Director’s Cup at the end of the year.
“It’s gratifying to see us score points in indoor track,” said Keith. “We scored in cross country, and now indoor, too. So hopefully we can also score in outdoor, and complete the triple crown, so to speak.”
