Erik Kynard Jr. Claims Fifth-Straight USATF Indoor Championship
Feb 17, 2018 | Track & Field
ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. – Erik Kynard Jr., showed why he is among the best high jumpers in the World on Saturday, as he won his fifth-consecutive USATF Indoor Championship at the Albuquerque Convention Center, winning the men's high jump with a leap of 2.30m/7-06.50.
"He fought well. He had the flu last week and we weren't able to do normal stuff going into the meet," Kynard's personal coach Cliff Rovelto said. "His run both indoors and outdoors is pretty special stuff. He has 9 of 10 [ USATF Championships] indoors and outdoors in the past five years. With the talent in our country that's pretty good stuff."
The former K-State Track and Field standout and now assistant coach has won each USATF Indoor high jump Championship dating back to 2014 and has claimed 9 of the last 10 USATF Championships between the indoor and outdoor season.
The 2012 Olympic Silver medalist entered competition at the opening height of 2.14m/7-00.25 and cleared each of his first two jumps on his first attempt. At 2.24m/7-04.25, Kynard missed on his first attempt but bounced back on his second at the height.
Entering 2.27m/7-05.25, Kynard was just one of three competitors left, along with Jeron Robinson and Ricky Robertson.
Kynard clinched his fifth-straight high jump title at 2.30m/7-06.50 on his first attempt, where Robinson was unable to clear. Kynard looked to set a new season best jump as he approached 2.33m/7-07.75 but was unable to get over the bar on his three attempts.
Since 2016, Kynard won the Diamond League crown in the high jump in 2016 and claimed the 2017 USATF Indoor Championship with a jump of 2.30m/7-06.50. Kynard's season best of 2.31m/7-07, set at the DeLoss Dodds Invitational in February, currently ranks seventh in the world this year. With his win on Saturday, Kynard qualifies for the IAAF World Championships held in Birmingham, U.K. on March 1-4.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
"He fought well. He had the flu last week and we weren't able to do normal stuff going into the meet," Kynard's personal coach Cliff Rovelto said. "His run both indoors and outdoors is pretty special stuff. He has 9 of 10 [ USATF Championships] indoors and outdoors in the past five years. With the talent in our country that's pretty good stuff."
The former K-State Track and Field standout and now assistant coach has won each USATF Indoor high jump Championship dating back to 2014 and has claimed 9 of the last 10 USATF Championships between the indoor and outdoor season.
Woah! @Erik_Kynard defends his title that he defended after he defended his defending title! #FiveTimeChamp pic.twitter.com/hTHTi9OWQR
— USATF (@usatf) February 18, 2018
The 2012 Olympic Silver medalist entered competition at the opening height of 2.14m/7-00.25 and cleared each of his first two jumps on his first attempt. At 2.24m/7-04.25, Kynard missed on his first attempt but bounced back on his second at the height.
Entering 2.27m/7-05.25, Kynard was just one of three competitors left, along with Jeron Robinson and Ricky Robertson.
Kynard clinched his fifth-straight high jump title at 2.30m/7-06.50 on his first attempt, where Robinson was unable to clear. Kynard looked to set a new season best jump as he approached 2.33m/7-07.75 but was unable to get over the bar on his three attempts.
Since 2016, Kynard won the Diamond League crown in the high jump in 2016 and claimed the 2017 USATF Indoor Championship with a jump of 2.30m/7-06.50. Kynard's season best of 2.31m/7-07, set at the DeLoss Dodds Invitational in February, currently ranks seventh in the world this year. With his win on Saturday, Kynard qualifies for the IAAF World Championships held in Birmingham, U.K. on March 1-4.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
K-State Track and Field | Tyson Invitational Recap
Wednesday, February 18
K-State Track & Field | DeLoss Dodds Invitational Recap
Wednesday, February 04
K-State Track & Field | Thane Baker Invitational Recap
Monday, January 19
K-State Track & Field | Uniform Reveal
Tuesday, November 11
