When redshirt junior Trevor Yedoni arrived on campus three years ago, a Big Ten title in the long jump seemed like a stretch.
He was a two-time high school state champion in the high jump, and he came to Minnesota expecting to compete in that event.
That is, until a torn ACL during his first week on campus while playing pickup basketball diverted his plans.
“I had some pretty big expectations for myself coming in, so having to redshirt because of a fluke injury was tough,” Yedoni said.
Yedoni’s injury list didn’t end with the ACL, either. After a full recovery and successful surgery, the Benilde-St. Margaret’s alum heard his knee pop again a year later, this time while preparing for an indoor high jump competition.
The second injury to the same leg caused doubt to creep into Yedoni’s head. It also prevented the lifelong high jumper from ever competing in the event for fear of injuring his leg a third time.
“After two surgeries on the same leg, it’s almost constantly on your mind,” Yedoni said. “Luckily for me, it didn’t define my career.”
Actually, it was the exact opposite.
Since the second injury, Yedoni has only excelled as a member of the Gophers. But this time, he is jumping for length rather than height.
In his first meet back from his second rehab stint, Yedoni took home the long jump title at the 2014 Northwest Open. Months later at the 2014 Big Ten outdoor championships, Yedoni was standing alone as the best long jumper in the Big Ten.
“There are very few people that have had to go through what Trevor has during his time here,” head coach Steve Plasencia said. “But when it was all said and done and he took home the [long jump] title, I think he would tell you he is OK with the way it played out.”
Yedoni said he doesn’t really think about his 2014 title — he has already moved his focus to reclaiming his throne this year.
In February, Yedoni finished fifth at the 2015 Big Ten indoor championships. Although it wasn’t first, the redshirt junior was still pleased with his performance.
“I feel like I was starting to figure out some things near the end of the indoor season that will really help me outdoors,” Yedoni said. “I’ve always liked the outdoor season better anyways.”
With the 2015 Big Ten outdoor championships a month away, Yedoni said he’ll increase the intensity of his training program after taking the week off last week in the long jump at the Texas Invite.
Yedoni’s teammates say he’s a shoo-in to repeat as long jump champion in the Big Ten.
“Seeing all that Trevor has been through, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him repeat this year,” sophomore Ben Holcomb said. “He’s a natural jumper, doesn’t matter how high or how far.”
