Posted on: Saturday, April 20, 2002

Sacred Hearts standout will attend CS Fullerton

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kelly Figueira, the best high school long jumper in Hawai'i history, has signed a scholarship agreement with Cal State-Fullerton, where she will be coached by world-record holder Michael Powell.

Sacred Hearts High School, where Figueira will graduate on May 25, Cal State-Fullerton, and Hawai'i Sports Network's Doris Sullivan, who helped Figueira in the recruiting process, all announced her signing of a national letter of intent yesterday.

Figueira long jumped 19 feet, 3? inches at the Punahou Relays on April 28, 2001. Her jump was 10th best in the nation last year at the time.

She won state championships last year in the long jump (18-9) and 100-meter dash (12.33) and anchored the winning 4x100 relay team.

Figueira pulled a hamstring muscle jumping at the Maui Invitational on April 6. She has not competed since but is going to rehabilitation in hopes of returning for the state meet May 9 and 11 at Mililani High.

Powell, a Fullerton assistant coach, said in a release: "Kelly is an aggressive and explosive jumper who will immediately contribute . . ."

While her emphasis will be on long jumping, Fullerton indicated Figueira would be tried out in sprinting as well.

"The whole selection process was difficult for her," said Figueira's mother, Coralie. "She got advice from everyone, especially mom and dad, and also made recruiting trips to Washington State and Colorado State."

Figueira said University of Hawai'i coaches talked with her but never made an offer.