San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
MENTAL ACUITY, CHEERING SECTION PROPEL JUMPER TO TITLE
When the announcer gave the results of the boys’ long jump at the San Diego Section track and field championships last weekend, a group of Scotties fans howled loudly.
“No, that’s wrong,” shouted. They were right.
For some reason, Tibyasa Matovu’s 23-foot, 3 ½-inch mark in the fourth round was omitted. But because of the group’s reaction, the results were checked and sure enough, the Helix senior’s mark was corrected.
Matovu certainly was aware something was wrong because he and Mission Bay’s Brandon Cheeks II had waged a stirring battle, going back and forth.
His personal best 23-3 ½ edged Cheeks’ 23-2 ½ for the overall title and both advanced to the state championships this weekend in Clovis. In the Division 1 championship, his mark was 6 inches in front of Eastlake’s Justin Cardoza.
That cheering section had been wildly enthusiastic from the start, boosting all the Helix athletes, but they since they were seated right above the long jump, they saved their loudest exhortations for that event. It started the minute Matovu was at the end of the runway with rhythmic clapping that went right through the jump.
When he hit the 23-footer, they went wild.
“It looked like 100 people but really there was probably 20,” said Matovu, 18. “My mom (Heather) was there, and I always look over and smile at her. She videos every jump and streams them for me.
“Long jumping is all mental and that group really helped me. By clapping they got me in rhythm and since I only take 16 steps — I’m very methodical — it really helped me.
“My last few steps are by far the most important because I’m not the fastest runner. But I am strong. I had a few big fouls — at least 23-10 and maybe 24 — but I’ll get that, and a lot more, in college.”
Helix coach Damaja Jones wasn’t surprised at the fans’ reaction.
“They’re parents and coaches,” he said. “It’s a very special group and they come out to cheer on their kids. Reacting like that didn’t surprise me at all.”
Matovu will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he’s hoping to eventually hit a 25-footer. He has even bigger dreams farther down the runway — as a mechanical engineer designing cars after hopefully competing in the Olympics.
“My dad is from Uganda and he escaped the civil wars by going to Sweden,” explained Matovu. “He met my mom in college. I have dual citizenship (she’s Swedish), so if I can’t make the U.S. Olympic team, I’d like to compete for Sweden.”
He was thrilled to win the section Division I title with the longest jump on the day.
“Personally, winning the championship was just a tribute to all my hard work,” said Matovu, a powerfully built 6-foot-3, 195-pounder who gave up football to focus on track.
“I’ve learned to integrate my energy, focusing outward. When I jump, I try to relax. Recently I changed my approach to long jumping so that now I do what I can do and I don’t worry about the outcome. I’m capable of winning state if everything goes right.
“Actually, I felt I could have hit 24 if the conditions were right.”
For a long jumper, like a sprinter, the hotter the weather the better and at the section championships the temperature was in the low 60s with occasional drizzle. Not rain, just a little moisture. Not enough to affect the outcome, but not ideal.
Matovu actually went to state in two events as he was a member of the Scotties’ 4x400 relay team that qualified first with a season-best 3:19.19.
That he competed at all is amazing, according to Jones.
“During COVID, Tibyasa was playing football and suffered a compound leg fracture,” said Jones. “It was very bad. There was some doubt he’d be able to play any sport.
“Now, two years later, he’s the section long jump champion.” Matovu celebrated.
“It’s such a great feeling to win the section championship and be on the qualifying relay team,” he said. “It’s incomparable.”
Especially with his own cheering section behind him.