By Rich Winter

605 Sports

2022 has been an explosive indoor season for former Belle Fourche prep Shayla Howell. Three weeks ago she sailed into the University of Wyoming record book with an indoor school record of 20-7.25 in the long jump. 

On March 2, Howell shattered her own record, long jumping 21-4.75 to win the Mountain West Conference indoor title. 

“I have had the goal of jumping over 21 feet since January of 2020,” Howell said. 

The two time South Dakota state long-jump champion (high school best of 19-3.25) says the COVID-19 pandemic may have hindered her progression over the last 18 months. 

“Training wise I feel like not much has changed,” she said. “I’ve continued to trust my coaches and have faith in myself and God and that’s what got me to 21-4.75.” 

Howell’s leap at the Mountain West Conference is the 10th best leap in all of Division I Track & Field.The mark qualified Howell for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, from March 11-12.

“I am so excited to compete on that stage with the elite athletes that are going to be there,” she said. “I’m going to approach it like it’s another track meet and that I deserve to be there.” 

Howell is the first Wyoming athlete to compete at the NCAA indoors since Ja’la Henderson competed at the NCAA championships in 2019 in the triple jump.  

A two-time South Dakota state champion at 100 meters, Howell also finished sixth in the 60 meters at the recently concluded Mountain West indoor championships. As a freshman (2019) Howell earned All-American honors by running the third leg of the 4x100 relay team at the NCAA National Championships.

 Howell is the daughter of Guy and Shanna Howell.