Eastern Kentucky University junior Tequan Claitt will go up against the top high jumpers in the country at the U.S.A Track & Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships on Sunday at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California.
The Lexington, Kentucky native qualified for the U.S. Championships by jumping 7’5.75” at the Hilltopper Relays in Bowling Green on April 8. That leap remains the second best by any American this year, and it currently ranks 16th in the world.
“It’s an honor to be able to compete against the best athletes in the U.S.,” Claitt said. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to represent EKU at this meet.”
Claitt’s jump of 7’5.75” shattered EKU’s 35-year old record in the event. The previous mark was 7’5”, set by Ken Glover in 1982.
Claitt is a three-time OVC gold medalist in the high jump. He became the first EKU athlete ever to be voted OVC Male Field Athlete of the Year in May.
The U.S. Championships serve as a qualifying meet for the World Championships, which will be held in London this August. The top three finishers in each event make the U.S. worlds team.
Claitt is no newcomer to USATF events. The graduate of Bryan Station High School finished 10th with a leap of 6’9” at the U.S. Junior Championships last summer in Clovis, California.
Claitt will compete in the finals of the high jump on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET. The competition will be broadcast live on NBC Gold.
