The Tribune

OVER the weekend, Jyles Etienne earned a spot in the NCAA Track & Field Championship with a leap of 7-feet, 2 1/4-inches at the East Preliminary, held in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Indiana University sophomore nabbed one of 12 coveted spots out of the east which, combined with the 12 spots out of the West Preliminary, forms the National Championship field. The top 11 jumpers in Jacksonville all tied at 7-2 1/4, but shook out to different places based on their number of misses at previous heights. Etienne tied for 10th in the field of 48.

The former Bear passed at 6-7 and 6-9 before clearing 6-11 on his first jump. He then cleared 7-1 on his second try, but missed his first two attempts at 7-2 1/4.

Needing to clear on his third attempt to book his ticket to Nationals, Etienne came through with a clutch leap, showing a rare flash of emotion once he safely returned to earth.

The 10 jumpers who cleared the height along with Etienne all went out at 7-3 3/4, perhaps undone by the 90-degree north Florida temperatures.

Etienne moves on to his first collegiate National Championship, to be held in Austin, Texas, the second weekend of June.

The men’s high jump is set to begin at 7pm on Friday.