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Prep T&F: Pumped & Primed

There's a saying that if it's not broke, don't fix it.

For Corbin Crim-Harbison the one thing he has had going for him in four years at Harrisburg High School was his dominance in the long jump.

Crim-Harbison holds the school record in the event with a jump of 23.4, which is also a personal record for him.

Now, Crim-Harbison will be taking that talent to Vincennes University, where he recently signed a National Letter of Intent to run track and field.

In addition to the long jump, Crim-Harbison said he also expects to be a part of the school's 4x400 relay team.

"I signed with Vincennes because of the program they have," Crim-Harbison said. "They sent 20 people out of 50 to Nationals this year. They have a strong program and coach Chris Gafner is dedicated to his runners and giving them his full attention and his best knowledge on getting better. The campus is beautiful and it feels like home to me."

The All-South athlete knows going in that his strong suit is the long jump and will be competing against a teammate who's best jump this year was 23.8. With Crim-Harbison's best jump at 23.4 this past season, he believes the National's are also in his sight.

"I'm 100 percent happy that I am continuing my track and field career," Crim-Harbison added. "That was my goal all through high school and I had to make tough decisions ​in

letting some sports go to focus on this one and it has paid off.

"I came into high school wanting to play baseball after we won state in middle school and wanted to make the varsity basketball team my sophomore year. Track is a spring sport so I couldn't do baseball​, and ​

basketball ran into indoor track​,​

so I had to let it go. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice the things you love for something greater."

In addition to Vincennes, Crim-Harbison had offers from Olivet Nazarene University to run track and play football. He also had a​n​

offer from MacMurry to play football and another offer from Illinois College to run track, but his decision to sign with the southern Indiana college is the right distance from him and home.

"Moving away from home is tough. I love my family but you have to learn how to be responsible and live on your own but also have a support system. My college is two hours away so it's far enough from home but it is also​ close​m enough to have my family for support."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.