PEARL — Walnut’s Shaquille Perry leaped to a second place finish in the long jump at the MHSAA track meet Saturday. Perry was the first Walnut Wildcat to qualify for the state meet in two years.

On his fifth jump of six possible attempts, Perry landed a 23’- 4.25" leap, moving him from third to second. Perry finished a quarter-inch behind Class 2A champion Fred Jones of H.W. Byers.

"It was fun, but I had some competition," said Perry, referring to Jones. "I was mad when I didn’t win on my final jump, but I didn’t expect to get a medal, so hopefully I can go back and get first next year."

Walnut track coach Tabitha Settlemires is in her fourth season and said she entered Perry into the long jump event at the division on a simple hunch.

"He didn’t have anything to do at the division meet," said Settlemires. "He ran on a relay team, but that’s all he had. I stuck him in the event just to try it."

Both Perry and Settlemires agreed it was a good move.

"I’m very very proud of him and I look forward to next year," added Settlemires. "Maybe he can take the title."