Jumping For Greatness - Cayden Spencer-Thompson


Cayden Spencer-Thompson is having the exact opposite of a sophomore slump. He recently jumped 47-6.75 feet in the triple jump, setting a new state record. The most baffling part of all is the fact that Cayden is still a sophomore, and has two more years to build upon his already elite jumping abilities. Not only that, but Cayden's recent 22-8.25 feet jump in the long jump is only 1.25 inches off the state best. I got the chance to catch up with Cayden on Thursday and we talked about a variety of topics, the highlights of which follow.

Just a sophomore, Cayden is embodying excellence by already breaking state records. He said "To be so young, and be competing at such a high level feels great. I've got two more years left, so if I'm breaking records now the sky is the limit for my senior year". He credited this drive to keep succeeding to the sense of self achievement he's overcome with when he performs well. Since Cayden doesn't have much competition in Class C, that feeling is what he strives for while jumping. This season alone, Cayden is looking to break 48 feet in the triple jump.



Cayden began his track and field career young, at five years old for a matter of fact. His mom wanted him to do a sport, and he began with summer track. He did it every year thereafter, then middle school track, and now high school track and he's "Still loving it". He's also cousins with Tia Tardy, and said that growing up in the same town as her pushed him to an extent as well. She was recently recruited to run for Bucknell, leading him to add "If she can get out, why can't I?".

After having a bad experience at Nationals last year in the pouring rain, he's looking to redeem himself there later this season. He's confident in his ability to score at Nationals, and possibly even win New Englands. He knows there will be college scouts there, and is hoping he can get looked at by performing well. As far as college goes, Cayden said he has family in the southeast, and said UVA was floating around as a possibility. He attributed this to the weather also, saying that rain and cold can affect your jumps more than you'd think.

When he jumped 6-5 in the high jump earlier this season at MDI, he hurt his hip. For that reason, high jump is on the back burner right now but Cayden is hyped at the possibility of snagging the state best in the long jump as well. Clearly that injury hasn't set Cayden back too far, however, as he still has plenty of intent to score at New Englands and Nationals. As far as which event he puts the most effort towards, he said "When I walk on the runway for long jump, it's 100% long jump. When I go to high jump it's 100% for high jump. When I come back for triple, it's 100% in triple. No matter which event, I'm giving it my best". Cayden's dedication and work ethic is incredibly respectable; you can tell he's never jumping anything less than his best. 

Cayden still plays basketball during the winter, despite his elite jumping ability. He said he's thought about quitting before, due to the difficult time management. However he said the way he's looking at it is "There's a good chance I'm not going to play collegiate basketball. So, I might as well enjoy it while I can". There have also been rumors floating around about Cayden leaving Lincoln next year for MDI or Orono. He said that this is because if he went to Orono, he could be using the college field houses jumping facilities. Not only would this help prevent him from getting hurt, but it would also be more professional. 

No matter where Cayden ends up next year, his drive to compete an elite level is incredible. Being just a sophomore and already snagging a state record in one of three jumping events is a clear indicator of that. Setting the bar high for himself, Cayden hopes that his abilities and his determination will be able to land him the opportunity to compete for a respectable collegiate program. He's someone to keep on eye on, there's no denying that. When it comes to Maine jumping right now, that's Cayden's domain. And he seems fully intent on leaving some records behind that will stand for years to come.


Watch Spencer-Thompson's record breaking triple jump