# Corintia Griffith: Rising Star in Track and Field

Corintia Griffith has emerged as one of the most promising track and field athletes in recent years, setting records and making a name for herself in the jumping events. Her journey from a young sprinter to a record-breaking triple jumper showcases her exceptional talent, dedication, and versatility in the sport.

## Early Career and Development

Corintia Griffith’s track and field journey began at a young age. She discovered her passion for running in 4th grade when she broke her school’s 200m record at field days, and continued to break records in 5th grade as well[4]. By age 11, she participated in her first club season, training alongside some of the best high school runners in her area[4]. This early exposure to high-level competition helped shape her athletic development.

Griffith joined Webster Schroeder High School’s varsity team as a 7th grader, an impressive accomplishment for such a young athlete[1][3]. In her first year on the varsity team, her 4×1 relay won County Championships, marking the beginning of what would become a remarkable high school career[4]. Initially, Griffith competed primarily as a sprinter and long jumper, events that she naturally gravitated toward[3][4].

What makes Griffith’s story particularly interesting is her path to triple jump success. Despite having run track since age 11 and being on varsity since 7th grade, she only started triple jumping later in her high school career[1]. This transition came after her coach, Mike Quagliata, encouraged her to try the event[1]. Remarkably, this suggestion would eventually lead to state records and national recognition.

## Record-Breaking Achievements

Griffith’s rise to prominence in the triple jump has been nothing short of extraordinary. After only beginning to compete in the event around 2022, she quickly established herself as an elite talent. For the 2022 indoor season, she placed second overall in the Triple Jump with a jump of 36’7″[4].

In February 2023, Griffith broke the New York state record for the triple jump[1]. Her record-breaking performance continued as she was crowned the 2023 NYSPHSAA Girls Triple Jump Champion[8]. When interviewed about this achievement, Griffith expressed surprise at her own success: “I never thought I’d be competing in triple jumping like this… I feel accomplished.”[8]

Her most impressive feat came in February 2024 when she shattered her own state record in the triple jump. Competing for her team in the Monroe County Championships, she launched a jump measuring 42-11 (42 feet, 11 inches)[2]. This remarkable jump placed her at #10 All-Time for High School Athletes nationally[2]. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that it represented a full foot improvement over her previous personal record, both indoor and outdoor[2].

Just twelve hours after setting this record, Griffith competed at the prestigious Millrose Games, where she took second place with a jump of 40-1.5 on her final attempt[2]. In addition to her triple jump prowess, she also achieved a state-leading mark of 19-9 in the Long Jump[2], demonstrating her versatility as a field athlete.

## Personal Journey and Philosophy

Griffith’s relationship with triple jumping is particularly compelling. Despite her tremendous success in the event, she initially disliked it. “My first meet happened to go extremely good for me when I was triple jumping and I still hated it,” Griffith explained. “I hated it. I didn’t want any part of it.”[3]

Her hesitation stemmed partly from warnings by teammates about potential injuries: “All of the kids around me would tell me, especially the triple jumpers who were my friends, they’d be like, ‘Don’t do this when you get older because it’s going to hurt your legs.'”[3] Despite these early reservations, her natural talent for the event eventually won out: “I ended up being good at it. So I stuck with it and now I’m here. So I’m happy I did.”[3]

Griffith describes track as “a big part of my life” and has developed unique rituals that highlight her connection to the sport. “I like to walk around barefoot because I like the feeling of the track on my feet, especially if it’s been like a long day at school and I’ve just had shoes on all day. I think it’s a nice like moment to de-stress and calm down.”[3]

## Collegiate Career at Harvard

After her exceptional high school career, Griffith continued her athletic journey at Harvard University, where she competes on their Division I track team while studying biology[3][6]. Her transition to collegiate competition has shown promising results in her freshman year (2024-2025 season).

As of March 2025, her college best performances include:

– 60m: 7.98 seconds

– 200m: 25.32 seconds

– Long Jump: 5.52m (18′ 1.5″)

– Triple Jump: 11.86m (38′ 11″)[6]

Griffith has competed in several college meets, including the Trojan Invite (March 21-22, 2025), where she placed 8th in the triple jump with a mark of 11.37m[6]. Earlier in the season, she achieved her collegiate best triple jump mark of 11.86m (38′ 11″) at the Eagle Elite Invitational in February 2025[6].

While her collegiate marks have not yet matched her high school records, this is not uncommon for athletes transitioning to collegiate competition, where training focuses may shift and academic demands increase. Her continued participation in multiple events (sprints and jumps) demonstrates that she maintains her versatility as an athlete.

## Leadership and Mentorship

Throughout her athletic career, Griffith has evolved from a young athlete learning from role models to becoming a mentor herself. By her senior year of high school, she had taken on a leadership role: “I like to translate everything that I’ve learned throughout the years, especially from different people, different competitions, different coaches to other athletes here, especially when people ask me advice.”[3]

She specifically mentions helping other triple jumpers on her team with their marks and form, showing her commitment to team success beyond her individual achievements[3]. Griffith emphasizes the importance of team bonding in what is typically considered an individual sport: “I feel like if you don’t have a solid team bond, especially in a sport like this, you’re not really going to get very far because people supporting me on the sidelines really does mean everything.”[3]

## Conclusion

Corintia Griffith’s track and field career exemplifies how natural talent, dedicated coaching, perseverance, and openness to new challenges can lead to exceptional achievement. From a young sprinter breaking elementary school records to a record-setting triple jumper and now a collegiate athlete at an Ivy League institution, her journey showcases the rewards of athletic dedication.

As she continues her collegiate career at Harvard, Griffith carries forward not only her remarkable physical abilities but also the lessons learned through years of competition: “I’ve learned that if I really want to work for something, I really have to focus in on it.”[3] With this mindset and her proven track record of success, Griffith appears positioned to continue making her mark in collegiate track and field and potentially beyond.