UAA Long Jumper to Compete Against Top NCAA Athletes

One of UAA’s most decorated athletes and ranked first in the country for Division 2 long jumpers. He competes in national's Thursday afternoon.

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By Corey Allen-Young
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Story Created: May 26, 2011 at 11:56 AM AKDT

Story Updated: May 26, 2011 at 2:15 PM AKDT

One historic run and jump at a time, a UAA track star is helping put Alaska on the map.

Palmer long jumper and sprinter David Registe is set to represent Alaska as he takes on the best of the NCAA.

Through speed, technique and strength, UAA's Registe has put in a lot of mileage to get where he’s at today.

“I actually quit the 100 in high school after I got like seventh out eight people at a meet,” said Registe.

But he ignored that failure, and the natural leaper and runner has now become one of the nation's fastest and longest jumping athletes

“To be able to compete with the D-1 [Division 1] guys just as well as anybody else and just to show the name Alaska on my chest and feel proud to wear the shirt,” said Registe, acknowledging his UAA Track & Field sweatshirt.

Humble about his athletic abilities, Register said “it’s hard to take credit for all this.”   

Even though he has dominated in sprints and the long jump, he's more proud it happened in his home state.

“It feels good to keep it in Alaska…growing up in the Valley and just being around everybody and sticking with college here,” he said.

All accomplishments aside, Registe said it’s about the team and showing the rest of the country that a little school from Alaska can compete.

“People look at us and they don't really see much, a Division 2 in Alaska. It’s nice to come in there to be able to compete,” he continued.

But it’s an opportunity that wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for his push for perfection.

“It’s very special when you have somebody that can jump and run as fast as David does, so that's a good combination for a good long jumper,” said Rafael Echavarria, Registe’s coach.

And it’s a combination that the young athlete plans on unleash on his competitors to bring back the gold.

“Everyone that knows me knows I'm going in to get first place, so that's my goal,” said Registe.

David Registe is one of UAA’s most decorated athletes and is ranked first in the country for Division 2 long jumpers.  He competes in national's Thursday afternoon and plans on continuing his dream of competing as far as he can.

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