OLANIYAN ATHLETICS
Ajamu Olaniyan (formerly known as Dean Cash) competed in Track and Field at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 1989-1993. His event was the triple jump. A graduate of Sun Prairie High School, Ajamu's best performance in high school was 46' 0" in the triple jump. Under the expert coaching of Evan Perkins, he improved his personal best by a whopping 10" per meet during the indoor season. Initially an unknown, he was ranked number two in the United States at the end of the season, a position he would hold or better throughout his career.

FRESHMAN SEASON:

• After winning the first of four Indoor Wisconsin State University Conference Championships, he placed third at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. He was bumped out of second place by Joe Prestagiacomo, who had jumped two centimeters further. Only a week prior, Ajamu had bested Joe by two feet. Stress fractures cut short Ajamu's Outdoor season--he only competed at the Outdoor meet--placing third, and took eighth at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. By doing so, Ajamu became the first Freshman ever to become an Indoor and Oudoor All-American. He finished the season with the third-best performance in school history.
• Voted Class MVP

SOPHOMORE SEASON: (1990)

Indoor Best: 50' 4.25"

• Placed 2nd at the Nebraska Husker Invitational
• Won Conference Indoor Title (performance: 50' 3.75")
• Placed 2nd at the Indoor National Championship (performance: 49' 7.25)

Outdoor Best: 50' 6"

• Placed 6th at Kansas Relays
• Qualified for Drake Relays
• Placed 2nd at Outdoor Conf. Meet (performance: 47' 7.5)
• Voted Class MVP

JUNIOR SEASON: (1991)

Indoor Best: 51' 0.75"

• Won 1st Individual National Championship (Indoor) (performance: 51' 0.75")
• Won WSUC Conference Indoor title (performance: 50' 3.5")

Outdoor Best: 51' 8.5"

• Won 2nd Individual National Championship (Outdoor) (performance: 51' 7")
• Won WSUC Oudoor Conference Title (performance: 51' 8.5"--meet, facility, and school record)
• Also set records at Luther Invitational and La Crosse Classic.
• Voted Class MVP

SENIOR SEASON: (1992)

Indoor Best: 51' 1.25"

• Won WSUC Indoor Conference Title an unprecedented fourth time (performance: 48' 11.75")
• Placed 3rd at Indoor National Championship (performance: 49' 2.5")

Outdoor Best: 49' 1.5"

• Qualified for Outdoor Nationals, but Redshirted

FIFTH AND FINAL SEASON: (1993)

Outdoor Best: 51' 7"

• Won 2nd National Championship (outdoor) (performance: 51'7")
• Won 6th Conference Championship (outdoor) (performance: 51' 5.5"--all jumps over 51' for series)
• Placed 6th at Drake Relays
• Won Meet of Champions
• Won Norse Relays

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