Before his approach on each attempt to qualify for the state track and field meet, Baylor high jumper Wiley Pippenger would glance to the left of the padded landing area and nod. It was his way of reminding himself of an unseen presence pushing him.
Former Baylor assistant track coach John Bradford, who had worked with Pippenger and all Baylor jumpers over the past 30 years, died last Sunday. Bradford, who learned to coach high jumpers and pole vaulters by reading an instructional book, would have his athletes practice the high jump motion by running toward the school’s football stands, turning to jump and land in a seated position on the concrete wall.
“He was just a wonderful man who never had anything negative to say to anyone,” said Baylor coach Bill McMahan. “It really tore our kids up when I had to tell them. It did me, too. He had a great way of relating with kids.”
The lessons Bradford had taught remained firmly in Pippenger’s mind, and during the Division II East region meet field events Tuesday at GPS, just one day after being told of his coach’s death, the Red Raiders sophomore set a personal best by clearing 6 feet, 2 inches.
Pippenger’s nod was to the area where Bradford typically would watch the event, always coaxing and instructing. Pippenger, who stands 6-foot-5, reached a mark that was good enough for second behind McCallie’s Hakim McMorris and should be good enough to qualify Pippenger for next week’s Spring Fling.