Arizona jumper Liz Patterson was undefeated the entire indoor season, but at the NCAA indoor National Championships, that streak came to an end in a classic jumping competition.
Patterson had the second-best jump in indoor collegiate history, but was outlasted by Texas high jumper Destinee Hooker.
Patterson cleared 1.95 meters in her first attempt and Hooker followed suit by clearing the bar as well.
“”What was impressive about the competition was that neither athlete crumbled under the pressure,”” said UA track and field head coach Fred Harvey.
On the following attempt, Hooker got the best of Patterson when she jumped over the bar at 1.98m. Patterson was unable to match Hooker’s leap – a jump that ended up being the NCAA Indoor Championship record.
“”There is no disappointment in losing at all. She would have loved to win the national championship but she jumped a personal best,”” Harvey said. “”The person who beat her had to break the collegiate record to beat her, so there is no disappointment there.””
Patterson earned All-American honors along with senior thrower Zack Lloyd, who had his best championship meet by finishing third in the shot put with a throw of 19.21m.
Senior Shevell Quinley finished 13th in the penthalon with a score of 3,934 and fellow senior sprinter Bobby McCoy completed his collegiate career with an 11th place finish in the 400m.
Junior Gabriella Duclos finished fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25m, and earned her first All-American honor of her career.
In the NCAA Indoor National Championship, the UA women’s team finished the season ranked No.18 in the country.
“”One of our top goals is to be a top-20 team,”” Harvey said. “”We know with a break here or there we could end up in the top 10.””
Saturday, in the 27th annual Willie Williams Classic, Arizona opened its outdoor season as eight members of the team qualified for the NCAA West Regional Championship in Eugene, Ore.
“”We had a number of people that stepped up and got the regional qualifier out the way,”” Harvey said, “”so we can continue our training toward that meet.””
