[Buckskin86]

Indy newspaper article on Washington

Last season, it was somewhat unexpected. This time, it was no surprise.

Franklin Central junior Donald Washington repeated as state long jump champion June 5 and has his sights set on a third next year.

Seeded No. 6 going into the finals, Washington scratched on his first two jumps before landing one that registered 23-43/4. Luckily, that was good enough to propel him to a state title, because he scratched twice more before spraining his ankle on his final attempt.

Washington, a three-sport athlete and one of only two nonseniors to win an individual state title this year, was not surprised that his only jump was the best anyone had on the day.

"Going in, I kind of knew I was going to win," said Washington, who finished fourth in the state meet as a freshman. "But I think it was harder than last year. This year I felt like I had a target on my back."

While Washington may be a gifted athlete, the titles have been the product of hours of hard work, according to head coach Jim Hoskins.

"Donald is definitely a leader who leads through work ethic," Hoskins said. "When your best leaders are your best athletes, that's pretty easy to coach."

Washington wants to win a third state title but has his eyes set on something else next year.

"I think (a third title) will be the hardest," he said. "I guess I'll have a target on my front and my back. But I won't care, if I get the state record (24-73/4)."

Washington plans to play football and run track in college, but he has no plans yet as to where.

In the meantime, Hoskins is thrilled to have him back for a final season.

"I think you'll see some explosions out of him next year," he said. "A repeat is a big deal -- there's a lot of pressure on returning champs. It's a tough gig."