Now, college coaches are begging him to long jump for them.

McCorkle, a 6-foot-2, 150 pound junior at Harding High, never got his chance to long jump in the seventh grade. In fact, he long-jumped for the first time during last year's outdoor track season.

His four-month crash course in the sport produced a runner-up finish at the 3A state championships -- jumping 23 feet, 9 1/4 inches -- a No. 5 state ranking and No. 46 nationally.

``I used to ask to jump in the seventh grade and they didn't pay any attention to the seventh-graders,'' said McCorkle, who has a GPA between 3.6 and 3.7 and has scored 1,000 on his SAT. ``I never got a chance to try it then.''

Maurice English of Lakewood (S.C.) High had the country's best jump (25-6 3/4) last year and North Carolina had two of the top five. North Mecklenburg's Jamorya Funderburk was ranked fourth (25-2) and T.C. Roberson's William Montgomery, who beat McCorkle for the 3A title, was fifth (24-11). All four jumpers ahead of McCorkle in the state have graduated.

``If he went that distance as a sophomore, I know he has a 25 (foot jump) in him this year,'' said Harding coach Arthur Tucker who has coached for more than 30 years. ``If everything is perfect he might hit a 26.''

Things haven't always been so perfect for McCorkle. In August 1997, just before his sophomore year, McCorkle's father, William, died after battling an illness for several years. In October, just before indoor track season began, one of his older brothers, Adrian, was murdered.

``Justin has really done well, in spite of all of the things he has had to overcome,'' said his mother Martha.

``His father didn't get to see him perform. He always taught the boys that athletics are important, but your education is much more important . . . We always teach (Justin) to put God first and that things that are meant for you will come.''

The things that seem meant for McCorkle -- his success in academics and long jumping -- may be what carry him to a college scholarship.

After last year's state meet, he started receiving letters from some of the major colleges and schools with traditionally strong track programs. Harvard, Georgetown, Minnesota, Florida, Yale, Syracuse, Purdue, Princeton, Wake Forest, Florida State, Kansas, Georgia, Miami (Fla.) and Duke sent letters of interest.

``It impresses me and it makes me want to grow stronger,'' McCorkle said of the correspondence. ``People tell me I have so much potential, and that I can pay my college through track. But I have to pick a school where I can get a good education. My mother always tells me I can't rely on a sport, because you can get hurt anytime. . . . this is one way to pay for it.''

``I try to do it for them,'' said McCorkle of his dad and brother. ``Because I know my dad would be proud of me.''