Shanice Porter

Former Manchester High School standout Chanice Porter won her first indoor long jump competition on the weekend, executing a winning leap of 6.20 metres for victory at the Auburn Invitational held in Birmingham, Alabama. The University of Georgia freshman had a solid series reeling off jumps of 6.20m, 6.17m, 6.10m and 5.97m.

Porter, who boasts a personal best of 6.58m in the long jump, was elated at the victory in her very first competition at the collegiate level. "It was my first competition and I was worried at first because it's indoors and I have never jumped indoors before, but as time progressed it was really exciting to experience something different," she said. "I felt great about the performance because I did not know what to expect jumping indoors, but I'm pleased with the distance, and with that distance I'm now ranked number three on the NCAA performance list; but overall it was great, the atmosphere was different than outdoors."

The 2011 World Youth champion has a potentially busy schedule for the season with a number of meets on the immediate horizon. She reveals that she has about six more meets over the next month or so, including the South Eastern Conference Championships before the season ends. Included in those meets are the Akron Invitational on February 1 and 2; the Virginia Tech Elite on February 8 and 9, and the SEC Championships which run from February 20-24. She also has an NCAA qualifier on March 2 and the NCAA Championships on March 8 and 9.

"This weekend we have the Razorback Invitational," she said. "And I have eleven outdoor meets, but I am not sure at which ones I'm going to be competing."

But even while carrying such a heavy competition load, Porter is still keep an eye on Russia this summer, along with some other goals. "My goals include competing at the NCAA championships, both indoors and outdoors, and to better my personal best in the long jump and high jump, and to make the senior team to the World Championships," said the 2011 World Youth high jump bronze medallist, who turns 19 in May. "Hopefully, I can accomplish all these goals with the help of God."