NCAA D1 Indoor ChampionshipsMar 8, 2015 by Meg Bellino
NCAA Preview: Men's/Women's High Jump
NCAA Preview: Men's/Women's High Jump
Leontia Kallenou, Georgia
She’s the returning indoor and outdoor champion, and the only NCAA woman to hit 1.90m this season. That mark, set at the SEC Championships, set a new national record for her country of Cyprus. Can she match her outdoor PB of 1.92m in Fayetteville?
Wally Ellenson, Marquette
The basketball star and 2014 NCAA Outdoor runner-up will be looking for his first title in Fayetteville. A transfer from the University of Minnesota, Ellenson is sitting out during basketball season due to transfer rules. However, indoor and outdoor track are fair game. Without playing basketball, it seems to have improved his high jump heights, as 2.28m sits at NCAA No. 1 (Tied with Christoff Bryan and Jacorian Duffield).
She’s the returning indoor and outdoor champion, and the only NCAA woman to hit 1.90m this season. That mark, set at the SEC Championships, set a new national record for her country of Cyprus. Can she match her outdoor PB of 1.92m in Fayetteville?
Wally Ellenson, Marquette
The basketball star and 2014 NCAA Outdoor runner-up will be looking for his first title in Fayetteville. A transfer from the University of Minnesota, Ellenson is sitting out during basketball season due to transfer rules. However, indoor and outdoor track are fair game. Without playing basketball, it seems to have improved his high jump heights, as 2.28m sits at NCAA No. 1 (Tied with Christoff Bryan and Jacorian Duffield).
Claudia Garcia Jou, Akron
The Spanish import in Akron, Ohio is rewriting the record books. She has surpassed the 6 ft. mark four times this season and is nipping at Kallenou’s heels. Her 1.88m personal best was set at the Tyson Invite, so we know she already likes competing well in Fayetteville.
Tatiana Gusin, Georgia
Guise is having a breakout year, and combined with Kallenou, they could bring some serious points back to Athens. She finished runner-up at the SEC Championships with a new PB of 1.87m, which indicates she’s finding her stride and peaking at the perfect moment.
Christoff Bryan, Kansas State
A freshman hailing from Jamaica, could Bryan become Kansas State’s next Eric Knyard? He won the bronze medal at the 2013 World Youth Championships and finished fourth at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Eugene. Freshman may get frazzled, though, as evidenced by his Big 12 Championships fourth-place finish.
Jacorian Duffield, Texas Tech
The man to rain on Bryan’s Big 12 parade is none other than Duffield. He was fifth in this event in 2014 before finishing 10th outdoors. He is a consistent performer who will be looking to end his career on a high note.
The Spanish import in Akron, Ohio is rewriting the record books. She has surpassed the 6 ft. mark four times this season and is nipping at Kallenou’s heels. Her 1.88m personal best was set at the Tyson Invite, so we know she already likes competing well in Fayetteville.
Tatiana Gusin, Georgia
Guise is having a breakout year, and combined with Kallenou, they could bring some serious points back to Athens. She finished runner-up at the SEC Championships with a new PB of 1.87m, which indicates she’s finding her stride and peaking at the perfect moment.
Christoff Bryan, Kansas State
A freshman hailing from Jamaica, could Bryan become Kansas State’s next Eric Knyard? He won the bronze medal at the 2013 World Youth Championships and finished fourth at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Eugene. Freshman may get frazzled, though, as evidenced by his Big 12 Championships fourth-place finish.
Jacorian Duffield, Texas Tech
The man to rain on Bryan’s Big 12 parade is none other than Duffield. He was fifth in this event in 2014 before finishing 10th outdoors. He is a consistent performer who will be looking to end his career on a high note.
Lauren Crockett, Oregon
The multi-athlete from Oregon will be looking to take home her first set of NCAA high jump hardware after finishing ninth last year indoors. Her 1.85m mark was set in January, but she hit 1.84m to win the MPSF Championships. With their five-year NCAA title streak on the line, no doubt Crockett will be looking for a monster personal best to score points for the Ducks.
Deante Kemper, Northern Arizona
This Lumberjack has been up and down throughout his career, winning countless Big Sky titles but never NCAA hardware. His breakthrough jump came at the Iowa State Classic, where he leaped 2.24m. He’ll need another big move to bring home an All America honor, but with great competition, this could be his best jump yet.
The multi-athlete from Oregon will be looking to take home her first set of NCAA high jump hardware after finishing ninth last year indoors. Her 1.85m mark was set in January, but she hit 1.84m to win the MPSF Championships. With their five-year NCAA title streak on the line, no doubt Crockett will be looking for a monster personal best to score points for the Ducks.
Deante Kemper, Northern Arizona
This Lumberjack has been up and down throughout his career, winning countless Big Sky titles but never NCAA hardware. His breakthrough jump came at the Iowa State Classic, where he leaped 2.24m. He’ll need another big move to bring home an All America honor, but with great competition, this could be his best jump yet.