UMES Triple Jumper Faithlyn Irving Leaves Record-Breaking Legacy

The Hawk athlete reflects on her journey from Jamaica to breaking her own indoor triple jump record at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:22pm

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Faithlyn Irving, a triple jumper for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks, has wrapped up her college athletic career after repeatedly breaking her own indoor triple jump record and leaving a lasting impact on the program. Originally from Jamaica, Irving took up the triple jump event at a young age and went on to compete at the national level in high school before spending two years at Cloud County Community College in Kansas and then transferring to UMES, where she continued to excel.

Why it matters

Irving's story highlights the power of perseverance and self-belief, as she nearly quit the sport due to an injury in high school but pushed forward to become one of the top triple jumpers in UMES history. Her record-breaking achievements and academic honors demonstrate the positive impact that student-athletes can have on a university's athletic and academic programs.

The details

During her time at UMES, Irving competed in both the high jump and triple jump, finishing third in both events at the MEAC championships in the 2023 outdoor season. She then went on to break her own indoor triple jump record with a leap of 12.99 meters (about 42 feet, 7 inches) before wrapping up her college career. While she is unsure if her athletic career will continue, Irving's legacy at UMES is cemented as one of the program's all-time greats.

  • Irving began competing in the triple jump event when she was around 15 or 16 years old in Jamaica.
  • She finished sixth twice in the national championship in Jamaica while in high school.
  • Irving spent two years competing at Cloud County Community College in Kansas before transferring to UMES.
  • She started competing for UMES in the 2023 outdoor season.
  • Irving broke her own indoor triple jump record with a leap of 12.99 meters before the end of her college career.

The players

Faithlyn Irving

A triple jumper for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks who repeatedly broke her own indoor triple jump record and left a lasting legacy on the program.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)

The university where Faithlyn Irving competed as a triple jumper and high jumper, cementing her status as one of the program's all-time greats.

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What they’re saying

“I think when I was in Class Two, I was around 15 or 16. My coach told me one day that I should try the triple jump event. At first, I was not interested because I used to watch the event and see the pounding, and it looked hard — because it is hard.”

— Faithlyn Irving

“I'm so glad you didn't give up. I'm so glad you kept pushing despite the adversities and the challenges that came up. You kept going, and I'm very proud of you.”

— Faithlyn Irving

“Believe in yourself first. Don't wait on anyone else. Most importantly, have a relationship with God, because that has been the guiding force for me.”

— Faithlyn Irving

The takeaway

Faithlyn Irving's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief. Despite facing adversity and nearly quitting the sport, she pushed forward to become one of the top triple jumpers in UMES history, breaking her own records and leaving a lasting legacy on the program. Her achievements both on the track and in the classroom serve as an inspiration for student-athletes to pursue their passions and overcome any challenges that come their way.