Ricky Houser had an initial goal to begin his season, and he believed it might take some time to achieve it.

He didn't think it would happen in his team's opening meets of the season.

Houser recorded a length of 40-8 in the triple jump, as the 40-foot plus mark was a goal he projected a few weeks earlier. He thought about the goal after he jumped 41 feet as a junior at districts last season.

It was an eye-opening effort for him and others as Houser truly made the most of his first season with the team. He finished fourth in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump at the Colonial League championships last season

"I could hardly believe that I did it," said Houser, who also participates in the long jump for the Roughies. "I knew I could do it after last season, and I wanted to jump more than 40 this season.

''But this was the first meet and I really didn't know what to expect. Plus, it has been a weird season with the weather and we haven't been outside much. In some ways it was surprising, and in other ways, it wasn't."

Houser credited his success to an offseason weight training program in which he worked to strengthen his legs. Though an offseason is hard to find with Houser, who also is a member of the Roughies' football and basketball programs.

"I had to get my legs stronger," he said. "It was just a matter of working my legs as much as I could. I can really notice a difference this season."

Head coach Glenn Reightler expects a big season for his second-year jumper.

"Ricky (Houser) has the ability and talent to do well," he said. "He seemed to have a natural ability with jumping and he looked very comfortable doing it. Now, he just has to keep working at it and working at the techniques behind it as well."

It didn't take long for Houser to make the proper adjustments.

"When I first come out (for track), I wasn't sure what I could do, but I liked jumping," he recalled. "I really had no idea on how to jump, but I quickly got the hang of it. From here, I just have to work to stay consistent at it."

Houser also cites the success of several programs over the past few years as being a catalyst for him and the rest of his teammates.

"When you play on some very good football and basketball teams, it does help," he stated. "It gave me that extra confidence to do well knowing how much Catty is respected. I reached one goal and now I have to get some others."