The 2007 World Champion had a best clearance of 2.24m, the same height as silver medallist Luis Joel Castro of Puerto Rico.
Cuba’s Luis Enrique Zayas took gold with 2.27m.
Jamaica’s Lushane Wilson and Cristoff Bryan were seventh and 10th with best clearances of 2.21m and 2.15m, respectively.
The performance was particularly encouraging considering how close she was to her personal best of 1.90m, which won her a silver medal at the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Championships in Oregon in June.
“I believe it’s a great start to my season because I wasn’t performing at my best last indoor season due to a minor ankle issue, so opening my season with a 1.86m demonstrates how much I’ve improved and what the remainder of my track season will look like,” said the Texas A&M sophomore.
“Knowing that 1.90m is my personal best and that my season-opening is four centimetres off my personal best gives me confidence that I can do big things this season.”
The Jamaican champion credits her early improvement to her experience as a college freshman and changes she has made in pre-season.
“This season, background training is going great. After competing last year, I now know what to expect and what not to expect, allowing me to have a fuller knowledge of the sport,” she explained.
“I have been training really hard because I know what I want to accomplish this track season, therefore, new exercises have been incorporated into my training. I am working on specific areas of my jumps that hindered me last track season from going high bars, so I definitely believe with the help of my coach and his training I will fix that.”
With that in mind, and driven by her failure to make the qualifying standard for the Tokyo Olympics, Distin has ambitions of representing Jamaica at the major championships on the 2022 calendar, specifically the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in England.
“My plan for this season is to just continue to do what I’m doing with regards to my training. I did not make the Olympic team this year because I did not make the qualifying mark of 1.96m but now since the Olympics have passed and gone, my eyes are on the world championship,” she said.
“As I stated before, I am training really hard and I have goals that I want to achieve so the height will come if I continue on the right path.
Her first goal is to achieve the qualifying mark and then take it from there.
“I definitely want to make the qualifying mark to qualify for the World Championship,” she said.
“As it relates to Commonwealth Games, I am not far from the qualifying mark so I am confident that I will make the mark.”
Dior-Rae Scott, who won gold in Kingston in 2022 and silver last year in Nassau, returned to the top of the podium with an excellent new personal best and Carifta record 52.53m with her third-round effort.
Her teammate, Kamera Strachan, had a best throw of 47.61m for silver while Jamaica’s Zoelle Jamel was third with 45.00m.
The Girls Under-20 high jump also saw a quinella, with Jamaica enjoying their own 1-2 finish this time around.
Rasheda Samuels secured gold with a third-time clearance of 1.78m while her teammate Dejanea Bruce took silver with a best clearance of 1.76m.
Trinidad & Tobago’s Keneisha Shelbourne was third with 1.70m.
In the Under-20 Girls long jump, Trinidad & Tobago’s reigning NACAC U-18 champion Janae De Gannes produced one of the performances of the meet with a massive personal best 6.50m to win gold.
De Gannes only produced two legal jumps throughout her series, 6.50m in the first round and 6.40m in the second round.
Her mark also broke the Carifta U-20 record of 6.48m done in 2016 by Guadeloupe’s Yanis David.
Jamaica’s Rohanna Sudlow was second with 6.30m while Bahamian Lanaisha Lubin was third with 5.90m.
Strachan, a finalist at the World Junior Championships in Nairobi last year, threw an impressive 78.89m to break the record of 78.28m set in 2016 by Grenadian 2019 World Champion Anderson Peters.
The Trinidadian pair of Anthony Diaz (63.69) and Dorian Charles (57.52) rounded out the top three.
Elsewhere in the field, Jamaica’s Danielle Noble cleared 1.73m to win the U-17 Girls high jump ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Tenique Vincent (1.65m) and the British Virgin Islands' Jah’kyla Morton (1.60m).
Morton's BVI teammate Savianna Joseph took home the Girls U-17 shot put with 13.54m ahead of Jamaica's Nastassia Burrell (13.10m) and the Bahamas' Terrell McCoy (13.00m).
Beckford Advances to Men’s High Jump final
Jamaica's Romaine Beckford emerged as the standout performer in the men's high jump qualification rounds, securing his place in the finals. Beckford cleared 2.24m in Group B, placing third in the group and eighth overall. Despite none of the athletes meeting the automatic qualification standard of 2.29m, Beckford's performance was strong enough to earn him a spot in the final, scheduled for August 10.
Meanwhile, it was a challenging day for the Bahamas' Donald Thomas, who failed to register a mark in Group A and was unable to advance. The qualification round was led by Shelby McEwen of the United States, who cleared 2.27m.
Knight-Wisdom a reserve in Men’s 3m Springboard final
In the men's three-metre springboard semi-finals, Jamaica's Yona Knight-Wisdom delivered an impressive performance, finishing 13th overall with a total score of 412.40 points. This placed him as a reserve for the final, prepared to step in if any of the top 12 qualifiers are unable to compete.
Knight-Wisdom showcased his diving prowess with a series of six dives, highlighted by his highest-scoring dive, the Forward 3½ Somersaults in Pike position, which earned him 74.40 points. Other notable dives included the Forward 2½ Somersaults 2 Twists in Pike position (73.10 points) and the Forward 2½ Somersaults 1 Twist in Pike position (72.00 points). His overall consistency secured his 13th place finish and a potential spot in the finals set for August 8.
Bahamas’ Otabor does not advance in Women’s Javelin Throw
In the women’s javelin throw, the Bahamas' Rhema Otabor will not advance to the next round. Otabor placed 13th in Group A with a throw of 57.67m, resulting in a 27th place overall finish, which was not sufficient to meet the qualification standard of 62m.
Despite the setback, Otabor’s career achievements at the age of 21 are noteworthy. She has already claimed the 2024 NCAA championship, the 2023 Pan American Games silver medal, and the 2023 NACAC U23 title. Additionally, she earned a bronze medal at the 2022 NACAC Championships and finished fourth in the 2021 World U20 Championships.
Poland's Maria Andrejczyk led the qualification round with a season-best throw of 65.52m, setting the bar high for the competition.
The 21-year-old cleared a height of 2.26m on his second attempt to add to his gold medal at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.
The reigning Jamaican national champion also had three unsuccessful attempts at 2.33m, a jump that would’ve secured a personal best and the Olympic qualifying standard.
Nebraska junior Tyus Wilson was second with 2.23m while Arkansas-Pine Bluff senior Caleb Snowden was third with a similar height.
Jamaican USC freshman Racquil Broderick produced 61.77m to finish second in the men’s discus behind South Alabama senior Francois Prinsloo (63.51m).
Kansas junior Dimitrios Pavlidis was third with 60.97m.
The men’s 400m final saw Jamaican Florida senior Jevaughn Powell produce a big personal best 44.54 to finish third behind Georgia sophomore Christopher Morales Williams (44.47) and Alabama freshman Samuel Ogazi (44.52).
Jamaican Clemson senior Tarees Rhoden was also in personal best form with 1:45.70 for fourth in the 800m final behind Virginia senior Shane Cohen (1:44.97), Texas A&M junior Sam Whitmarsh (1:45.10) and Iowa State junior Finley McLear (1:45.66).
Beckford, the 22-year-old two-time NCAA Champion, produced a winning jump of 2.20m on his only attempt at the height after producing clearances at 2.10m and 2.20m.
He then had three failed attempts at 2.25m after he had done enough to secure victory ahead of American Vernon Turner (2.15m) and Bahamian Shaunie Miller Jr (2.15m).
Elsewhere in the field on Thursday, Chanice Porter produced 6.50m to finish second in the women’s long jump while Bermuda’s Jah-Nhai Perinchief won the men’s triple jump.
The 30-year-old Porter, who will also be representing the nation in Paris, produced 6.50 in the sixth and final round of the competition to move up into the top three.
The competition was won by Nigerian Ruth Usoro with 6.70m while Trinidad & Tobago’s Tyra Gittens was third with 6.35m.
Perinchief produced 16.82m to win the triple jump ahead of Americans Omar Craddock (16.64m) and Chris Bernard (16.30m).
The meet continued on Friday with the track events. Newly crowned national 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Ackera Nugent, ran 11.17 to finish second in the women’s 100m behind Nigeria’s Favor Ofili (11.13). Liberia’s Maia McCoy was third in 11.32.
The women’s sprint hurdles saw Bahamian Denisha Cartwright produce 12.71 for second behind American Christina Clemons (12.61). Jamaican two-time World champion Danielle Williams ran 12.81 in third.
The 19-year-old, who entered the meet with a personal best of 7.29 done last season, first produced an easy 7.14 in qualifying before returning to run her new personal best in the final to win comfortably ahead of Georgia’s Kaila Jackson (7.20) and Florida’s Grace Stark (7.21).
Lyston’s time is the third-fastest in the world this year, fourth-fastest in collegiate history and equals the LSU school record done back in 2018 by Aleia Hobbs.
The men's equivalent saw USC's Travis Williams run 6.63 for third behind LSU's Myles Thomas (6.62) and USC's JC Stevenson (6.61).
Jamaican World Championship 4x400m relay medallist Stacey Ann Williams ran 51.86 to win the women’s open 400m ahead of Americans Kendall Ellis (52.12) and Bailey Lear (52.49). World Championships 400m hurdles finalist Andrenette Knight ran 52.53 for fifth.
Arkansas Junior and reigning Jamaican National champion Nickisha Pryce ran 51.58 for third in the college women’s 400m behind schoolmate Amber Anning (50.56) and Georgia’s Aaliyah Butler (51.34).
Pryce was a semi-finalist in the 400m at the World Championships in Budapest last August.
Florida Senior Jevaughn Powell ran 46.28 for third in the college men’s 400m behind USC’s William Jones (45.24) and Texas A&M’s Auhmad Robinson (46.15).
2023 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion and World Championship 100m hurdles finalist Ackera Nugent ran 7.94 for second in the women’s open 60m hurdles won by the USA’s Tia Jones in 7.85. Christina Clemons ran 7.95 for third.
Jamaica’s Phillip Lemonious, who won the NCAA Outdoor title competing for the University of Arkansas last season, ran 7.68 for third in the men’s 60m hurdles. Interestingly, the top two finishers in the race, Texas A&M’s Connor Schulman and Jaqualon Scott, also ran 7.68. Their times when rounded up to the thousandths were 7.672, 7.673 and 7.675.
St. Vincent's Shafiqua Maloney ran 2:02.29 to take top spot in the women's 800m ahead of Sanu Jallow of Arkansas (2:02.60) and Gabija Galvydyte (2:02.82).
In the field, Arkansas high jumper Romaine Beckford, the defending NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion, improved his indoor career best to 2.27m with his victory on Friday evening.
The winning height moves Beckford to No. 4 on the UA all-time list and No. 3 on the Jamaican all-time indoor list with the equal No. 4 performance.
Having won the competition, Beckford opted for the Olympic standard of 2.33m as his next height and had three attempts with his last try coming closest to clearing.
Mississippi State’s Sherman Hawkins and USC’s Elias Gerald both cleared 2.17m for second and third, respectively.
Elsewhere in the field, Jamaican Oklahoma Junior Nikaoli Williams produced 7.86m for second in the men’s long jump behind Florida’s Malcolm Clemons (8.06m). Clemons’ teammate Caleb Foster jumped 7.68m for third.
The British Virgin Islands ran his fastest season opener since 2021 to win ahead of Texas A&M’s Bryce McCray (50.29) and Florida State’s James Rivera (50.37).
The time puts McMaster fourth on the current world list behind Rai Benjamin (47.74), Caleb Dean (48.47) and Chris Robinson (48.66).
Texas A&M senior Lamara Distin opened her 2023 outdoor season with an impressive 1.95m effort to win the Women’s high jump.
The Commonwealth champion, who also won her second consecutive NCAA Indoor title in March, won ahead of Minnesota’s Nyalaam Jok (1.80m) and LSU’s Morgan Smalls (1.75m).
Distin, the Jamaican record holder with 1.97m, cleared 1.95 on her third attempt before failing three times to clear 2.00m.
Puma’s Charokee Young and Andrenette Knight were second and third in the Women’s 400m in 51.43 and 52.20, respectively, behind Mackenzie Dunmore of Empire Athletics (50.35).
The team of Roshawn Clarke, Rimando Thomas, Junior Harris and Nickoy Drummond sped to 40.96 to advance as the fastest qualifiers.
Saturday’s final will also see the likes of St. Jago (41.06), Jamaica College (41.20), STETHS (41.48), Calabar (41.73), St. Catherine High (41.78), Excelsior (41.84) and Herbert Morrison (41.90) in the field.
Jamaica College was the fastest qualifier for the High School Boys 4x800m final. The team of Khandale Frie, Omarion Davis, Handal Roban and Kemarrio Bygrave ran 7:53.41 to be the only Caribbean team to advance to Saturday’s final.
In the field, Edwin Allen’s Trevor Gunzell (61.79) and Jamaica College’s Raquil Broderick (59.43) were the top two finishers in the High School Boys discus. Bergen Catholic’s Benjamin Shue was third with 58.82m.
Carifta U-20 champion and record holder Keyshawn Strachan of the Bahamas won the High School Boys javelin with a throw of 72.48m representing St. John’s College. Jose Santana of Eugenio Guerra Cruz in Puerto Rico was second with 60.29m while Wyoming Area’s Drew Mruk was third with 58.60m.
Jamaica once again got the top two spots, this time in the High School Boys shot put thanks to Edwin Allen’s Christopher Young (19.87m) and Calabar’s Kobe Lawrence (19.68m). Joe Licata of Gill St. Bernard’s was third with 18.75m.
Dejone Raymond of STETHS cleared 2.05m to win the High School Boys high jump ahead of South Brunswick’s Damarion Potts (1.99m) and Kingston College’s Aaron McKenzie (1.99m).
Jamaica College’s Uroy Ryan was second in the High School Boys long jump with 7.54m behind Lawrenceville School’s Gregory Foster (7.59m). Altoona’s Jake Adams was a distant third with 7.08m.
Kingston College’s standout long and triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert jumped out to 15.94m to win the High School Boys triple jump ahead of Valley Stream North’s Ryan John (15.02m) and Brandon Hutchinson of St. Augustine’s in the Bahamas (14.93m).
The team of Rimando Thomas, Junior Harris, Jason Lewis, and Roshawn Clarke sped to 40.13 to narrowly finish ahead of Jamaica College (40.16) and St. Jago (40.17).
Kingston College were also winners on the day as the team of Amal Glasgow, Shaemar Uter, Emmanuel Rwotomiya and Marcinho Rose combined to run 3:09.52 to win the Championship of America High School boys 4x400m final ahead of Bullis School from Maryland (3:11.90) and St. Jago (3:12.09).
Jamaica College’s super 4x800m team was victorious in the Championship of America High School boys final.
Omarion Davis, Handal Roban, Kemarrio Bygrave, and J’Voughnn Blake combined to dominate the field in 7:28.38. Ridge High School from New Jersey ran 7:41.59 for second while West Springfield from Virginia ran 7:45.14.
In individual events, Jamaican Phillip Lemonious, competing for the University of Arkansas, won the College men’s 110m hurdles in 13.48 ahead of Jaheem Hayles of Syracuse (13.57) and Clemson’s Devon Brooks (13.62).
Rikkoi Brathwaite from the British Virgin Islands won the College men’s 100m in 10.28 competing for Indiana University. Ohio State’s Eric Harris was second with the same time, while Houston’s Edward Sumler IV was third in 10.30.
Jamaican Olympic 800m finalist Natoya Goule was second in the Olympic Development Women's Elite 600m in 1:24.09 behind reigning American Olympic 800m champion Athing Mu (1:22.75). The USA's Nia Akins ran 1:25.14 for third. Another Jamaican, Rajay Hamilton, ran 1:16.00 to finish second in the men's equivalent behind Ghana's Alex Amankwah (1:15.88).The USA's Kameron Jones was third in 1:16.47.
Jamaican 400m specialist Rusheen McDonald was second in the men's 300m in 32.69, narrowly losing out to Nigeria's Chidi Okezie who ran 32.68 to win. American Will London III ran 32.71 for third.
Former Olympic and World champion Omar McLeod ran 13.22 for second in the men's 110m hurdles. American Devon Allen ran a meet record 13.11 for victory while his countryman Jaylan McConico was third in 13.70.
Jamaica’s Roje Stona, competing for Clemson, was second in the College men’s discus with 65.11m. Virginia’s Claudio Romero was the winner with 67.11m and Army’s Jamir Gibson was third with 59.04m.
Another Jamaican, Romaine Beckford competing for the University of South Florida, jumped over 2.23m to win the College men’s high jump ahead of Ohio State’s Shaun Miller Jr (2.23m) and Princeton’s Jeff Hollis (2.17m).
Bryan, 27, a former standout at Wolmer's High School and Kansas State University, faced numerous challenges on his journey, including multiple knee surgeries and frustrating periods of rehabilitation that led him to walk away from the sport a few years ago. However, the indomitable spirit instilled in him by his parents, coupled with his own determination, eventually propelled him back onto the track and into the high jump pit.
Last Saturday's victory at the GC Foster Classic, where Bryan soared to a height of 2.20m despite the challenging circumstances of fading light, served as a testament to his resilience and steely focus on his goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Despite the late start and dimming visibility, Bryan remained undeterred, channeling his determination into a performance that left him pleased with his progress.
Reflecting on his journey and the challenges he has overcome, Bryan expressed gratitude for the support of his parents, who were instrumental in encouraging him to return to the sport he loves.
"My mom and dad, Christopher, Carmen Bryan. They were the ones that encouraged me to come back," he acknowledged. "I won't even lie to you. The only reason why I'm here back in Jamaica is my parents. They were the ones that encouraged me to come back. My dad even reached out to MVP before I even knew about it and they said 'yeah man, come' and it's been good. I enjoy being in the camp. I mean, it's hard, but I enjoy the grind of it."
Bryan's resurgence in the high jump arena has been marked by significant milestones, including a season-best jump of 2.25m at the Gibson McCook Relays, his best performance in almost a decade. With his sights set on the Olympic standard of 2.33m, Bryan remains focused on taking each step of his comeback journey one at a time, acknowledging the challenges ahead while embracing the opportunity to continue climbing towards his goals.
As he navigates the highs and lows of his athletic pursuit, Bryan finds solace in the support of his family and the satisfaction of knowing that he is relentless in the pursuit of his passion. "Once I start something, I want to try to complete it," he affirmed. "I've put in too much time and effort into it, so I'm going through with it."
On Thursday, Cuba secured two medals in the women’s 100m Hurdles as Greisys Acevedo took gold in 13.07 and her countrywoman, Kelly Ibanez won bronze in 13.33.
The Dominica Republic’s Fiordaliza Cofil was the star of the day with medals in both the Women’s 200m and 400m.
She won bronze in the 200m in 23.46 then returned to take gold in the 400m in 52.10.
Shalysa Wray of The Cayman Islands was fifth in the 400m in 53.47.
Ariliannis Vargas of Cuba took silver in the Women’s 400m Hurdles in 57.20.
The Caribbean also secured two medals in the Women’s Heptathlon as Marys Cabrera of Cuba took gold with 5663 points ahead of Grenada’s Janair Thomas who took home silver with 5484 points.
Marysabel Senyu of the Dominican Republic won silver in the Women’s High Jump with 1.81 metres.
In the Men’s 400m Leonardo Padilla of Cuba came second in 45.79, behind Luis Ferreiro of Mexico took gold in 45.59. Gamali Felix of Grenada and Michael Joseph of St. Lucia were fifth and sixth in 46.54 and 46.57 respectively.
Yoao Puentes of Cuba won gold in the Men’s 400m Hurdles with 50.91.
In the field, Ronald Zayas of Cuba was second in the Men’s Hammer Throw with 67.23.
On Friday, Juan Villalobos of Costa Rica won gold in the Men’s 1500m in 3:44.10.
Hector Pagan of Puerto Rico secured gold in the Men’s 10,000m in 30:20.48
The Caribbean also took another medal in the Men’s High Jump as Bahamian Kyle Alcine took bronze behind Erick Rodriguez of Mexico who took gold with 2.21 metres.
Rosa Santana of the Dominican Republic won the Women’s Shot Put with a 17.45 metres effort.
Her Caribbean compatriots Laysaelis Hernandez of Cuba, Kelsie Ross of Grenada and Treneese Hamilton of Dominica were fourth, fifth and sixth.
Yiselena Rojas of Cuba secured silver in the Women’s Javelin in 57.14.
Cuba secured another gold medal as Leyanis Hernandez won gold in the Women’s Triple Jump with 14.39 metres.
Chantoba Bright of Guyana finished second with a jump of 13.50 metres.
Clayton, who ran 11.09 to win the World Junior title in Nairobi last year, cruised to 11.38 to win the first heat. The Edwin Allen High standout sped to a personal best and national junior record 10.96 to win the Jamaican junior title in June.
Lirangi Tejada of the Dominican Republic finished fourth in heat one in 11.66 to advance as a fastest loser.
Joining her in the semis will be high school teammate Serena Cole, who was equally impressive in heat two, running 11.38 for victory.
Barbados’ Kishawna Miles ran 11.58 for third in heat three to advance.
In the 400m, Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley won heat four in 53.70 to advance. Her teammate Rickiann Russell ran 54.63 to finish fifth in heat five and advance as a non-automatic qualifier.
Javonya Valcourt of the Bahamas also advanced as a non-automatic qualifier after finishing fifth in heat three in 55.31.
On the Men’s side, Jamaica’s Delano Kennedy and Shaemar Uter both safely got through to the semi-finals. Kennedy ran a personal best 46.24 for third in heat two while Uter finished second in heat three in 46.66.
Moving to the 400m hurdles, Michelle Smith of the US Virgin Islands was the second fastest qualifier to the semi-finals after running 58.33 to win the third heat. Jamaica’s Oneika McAnuff will also be in the semi-finals after a third-place finish in heat five in 59.45.
In the field, Jamaica’s Brandon Pottinger cleared 2.08m to advance to the final of the Men’s high jump.
The reigning Commonwealth Games champion’s best clearance was a height of 1.91m, the same height she cleared to win the NCAA Indoor title in March. Distin also took silver at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June with 1.87m.
Kimberley Williamson, a seven-time national champion, was second with a best clearance of 1.85m.
The 21-year-old sophomore recorded a clearance of 1.92m, which bettered her own previous best of 1.88m that had seen her tied on the country’s national best list with two other jumpers, Kimberly Williamson and Sheree Ruff, for second place.
Her new mark broke the record of 1.90m set in March 2002 by Maresa Cadienhead. On the way to the record, Distin cleared heights of 1.78m, 1.83m, 1.86m, and 1.89m before soaring to the record and the event title.
The jump also moved Distin ahead of Texas Tech's Sydney Sapp in the NCAA leaders table after both were previously tied at 1.88m.
Distin, who has broken the national long jump record several times in the last several months, kept her concentration to dominate the field after a six-hour weather delay. Eventually, the Texas A&M athlete posted an event-winning mark of 1.95m to complete the SEC indoor and outdoor high jump title sweep.
The athlete finished ahead of South Carolina’s Rachel Glenn who recorded a best of 1.86m and LSU’s Nyagoa Bayak who finished third with 1.86m on the countback. The in-form Distin also had three attempts at 1.99m but failed to clear the bar.
This lifetime best continues a phenomenal start to the season for Distin who jumped a national indoor record 1.92 to win at the NCAA Indoor Championships in in Birmingham, Alabama earlier this month.
1.96m is a school record, the fifth best collegiate jump of all time and also sees Distin achieve the World Championships qualifying standard.
The Legacy Awards recognize Texas A&M student-athletes’ accomplishments for various academic, service, leadership and athletic endeavors from March 2023 to March 2024.
Distin, a two-time Jamaican national champion, dominated the SEC and NCAA high jump scene by adding a pair of SEC titles at the 2023 Outdoor and 2024 Indoor Championships, bringing her career total to five SEC high jump titles.
She logged a pair of runner-up finishes at the 2023 outdoor and 2024 indoor national championships, garnering her fifth and sixth First-Team All-America honors.
At the 2024 SEC Indoor Championships, the 24-year-old broke the NCAA Indoor high jump record clearing 2.00m, becoming the first collegiate woman to clear the 2.00m mark indoor or outdoor.
Distin, gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, entered the Championships on the back of wins at the Razorback Invitational on January 27, New Mexico Collegiate Classic on February 3 and the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational on February 11.
The 22-year-old former Hydel High standout entered the competition at 1.80m and had a perfect card all the way through, eventually achieving a winning height of 1.95, a new meet record.
She also had three unsuccessful attempts at 2.00m which would’ve been a new personal best and broken her own national record of 1.97m.
Georgia sophomore Elena Kulichenko finished second with 1.92m while LSU junior Morgan Smalls cleared 1.80 for third.