Lower Merion Sophomore Ranked Nationally In The Long Jump

DEVON, PA -- A Devon Prep sophomore has been ranked among the best long jumpers in the nation.

Charlie Verna, a Villanova resident, is currently ranked fourth in the state among other sophomores, and 15th in the country among sophomores.

“I’m excited with how he is progressing,” said Dave Evans, head coach for Devon Prep’s Indoor Track and Field team. “The coaches and I are pleased with his improvements and with the direction our program is going.”

In late January, Verna won gold in the long jump at the Track and Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia’s (TFCAofGP) meet with a jump of 21 feet, 5.75 inches which ranked him #6 overall in Pennsylvania, #1 among PA sophomores, and #5 among sophomores in the US at the time.

That jump, which was two feet longer than his competitors, qualified him for the TFCA of GP’s Meet of Champions last week where he jumped 20 feet, 8.5 inches.

Verna will next compete in the long jump at the indoor state championships at Penn State on Sunday, February 28.

He is only the second athlete in Devon Prep history to qualify for the competition, the school said.