Former Riverside City track & field star makes waves at 2017 World Championships in London

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The United States of America made a statement at the 2017 Track & Field World Championships this past week in London by blowing the competition out of the water. They hauled in a total of 30 medals (10 gold, 11 silver, and nine bronze) which was 19 medals better than second-place Kenya. In the heat of the competition was former Riverside City College men's track & field star Chris Benard, who placed sixth in the triple jump.

Bernard utilized a qualification mark of 17.2m and followed with a final result of 17.16m to earn him sixth place in the world. This is the highest honor the 2010 Riverside graduate has received since becoming a professional.

Benard was one of three USA competitors to land in the top-10 in the world. The former Tiger has made a significant jump in progress over the course of his five-year professional career by improving nearly a meter. His progression chart can be found here.

USA finished back-to-back on the podium in the triple jump with Christian Taylor and Will Claye finishing with gold and silver, respectfully. Nelson Evora of Portugal hauled in the bronze.

To view all results, please visit the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships website.

(Courtesy Nicho DellaValle, Riverside City College Sports Information Director)