Khai Tong '23 Recruiting Profile

6A Metro District Champion  and 6A Oregon State Championship Finalist, Triple Jump

USATF Junior Olympics Championship State and Region 13, TJ and LJ

I strive to be a better athlete, not only for myself, but also for the rest of my team. Coaches throughout my athletic career have said that I have a spring in my step and move like a gazelle. They have also said that I am coachable. I take pride in that. I enjoy taking their input and implementing their coaching into my training and prehab work.

During my season I compete for my local 6A Oregon high school, the Westview Wildcats. While academically I attend the International School of Beaverton. ISB was ranked as the 2021 and 2022 Best High School in Oregon High Schools (U.S. News) and has a 99% graduation rate. I am enrolled in the IB Diploma program, which includes a  full schedule of IB level classes, a service requirement, extended essay, and Theory of Knowledge.  

I enjoy studying the jump techniques needed to continue to improve. In middle school I trained with a team that had the bare minimum--we had no hurdles, no pit, and no track. Under the guidance of my first coaching mentor, Coach Mike, and despite the limited gear, I placed fourth in the State of Oregon for the long jump. I was looking forward to jumping with my high school team; however, the day before we were planning to have a mock meet to start the season, we went into COVID-19 lockdown. Unfortunately, I was not able to start my high school career. End of season. Tenth grade, it was an abbreviated season. At first I was looking forward to the long jump and hurdles, but said no thank you for the triple jump. My coach asked me to give it a try.  He was right! On my first attempt at the triple jump in competition, I jumped a high 39”. I finished the day with 40 feet 11 inches and took first place. At the end of the season, I was very excited to qualify for and participate in the 2021 Oregon 6A Track and Field Championships with my teammate. What a great learning experience. We extended our season to train into the summer and competed in the USATF Junior Olympics. My teammate and I placed first and second, and both set personal records. I couldn't wait to see what my Junior year would bring. 

I now have experience, off-season training, and will continue to gain leadership skills. This year while competing I was consistently in the mid 41’-42’s and ended my season with a jump of 42’10.75. I won my district 6A championship which gave me a ticket to compete at State. My goal was to make the finals and I did that. I extended my summer training and competed in the Junior Olympics. It was very exciting to make the finals in both the LJ and TJ and then make the finals in the TJ at Regionals. I finished 5th and qualified for Nationals, but did not compete.

In both cross country and track, I have a strong sense to be involved in my team and have naturally gravitated to leadership roles. I have enjoyed taking over the leadership role for the junior varsity runners and jumpers. I am motivated to help the underclassmen develop their skills and progress through the season, as I develop my skills as an athlete and leader. I’m excited to improve in my events and I am working to take the school record of 45’1 in my senior year. 

I’m excited to add to my knowledge as a student-athlete at the university level. I believe that studying the sciences behind exercise science and movement will allow me to better research, teach, and support people through movement.  

You are welcome to view my complete profile, including a newly uploaded highlight video. https://studio.youtube.com/video/3wDLp6-Ie2w/edit