New London's Kade Benjamin signs to high jump at Oklahoma State
NEW LONDON ― What a difference a year can make.
Kade Benjamin's future seemed to be all mapped out. A star on the AAU basketball circuit and an all-conference and all-district post player for the New London High School basketball team, Benjamin was a highly-touted recruit with a bright future.
And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
That changed the course of Benjamin's future.
With colleges dealing with a backlog of players who were offered an extra year of eligibility and the NCAA transfer portal wrecking havoc on recruiting, Benjamin saw his future in basketball fading.
Benjamin, a 6-foot-6 senior, plotted a new course in life Friday when he signed a National Letter of Intent to high jump for the Oklahoma State University men's track and field team beginning with the 2023-24 season.
When Benjamin sensed one door closing, another one opened with a path to his future, both athletically and academically.
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"I took my official visit to Oklahoma State Oct. 7, 8 and 9 and then I took a couple other visits," Benjamin said. "I took a look at all of them and I just felt like Oklahoma State was the best fit for me. I love their coaching staff and the athletes are all super nice. They have a great track and field program and they have a great business school. It was just a perfect fit for me."
Benjamin is coming off a sensational junior season of track and field for New London. Benjamin was the Class 1A state champion in the high jump, clearing 6-7 at state. He had a career-best jump of 6-9 last season and helped New London win the Class 1A state team championship.
"We definitely showed a lot of people what we are capable of doing," Benjamin said. "I'm looking forward to this year and doing back and defending my state championship."
Benjamin also is looking forward to getting to Oklahoma State, where he will focus solely on the high jump. At New London, Benjamin helps out in other running events, including relays. He ran on the Tigers' 4x800 relay team which placed second at the state meet last May.
Benjamin said he is looking forward to joining the Cowboys and working with director of track and field and cross country Dave Smith and jumps coach Zivile Pukstas.
"They have a great tradition in athletics as a whole. You can see why when you are there. The school gives the athletic programs everything they need to succeed and the programs give everything they have to be successful," Benjamin said. "It's going to be crazy competing against the best jumpers in the nation. The Big 12 has some of the best high jumpers in the country. They have the national champion last year in both indoors and outdoors. It's definitely a great conference to be in."
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Benjamin credits T.J. Jumper of Jumper Athletics will helping him perfect his craft.
"This next season in track and field will be my first with an actual high jumps coach. I am really looking forward to seeing what I can do," Benjamin said.
Benjamin said he plans to major in finance or economics at Oklahoma State with the goal of becoming a stock broker.
In the meantime, Benjamin is preparing for his senior season of basketball with the Tigers. It likely will be his last basketball season, and he wants to make the most of it.
"It's going to be bittersweet," Benjamin said. "I am really looking forward to the season. I hope we are able to get to state this year and win it all. I want to end on a high note."
Matt Levins is a sports reporter for the USA Today Network in Burlington, Iowa, who has covered local sports for 32 years at The Hawk Eye. Reach him at mlevins@thehawkeye.com.
This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Kade Benjamin will compete in high jump in Big 12 for Oklahoma State
