USC’s Jeannelle Scheper wins NCAA high jump title

The University of South Carolina track and field team crowned a champion Saturday afternoon, as senior Jeannelle Scheper won the NCAA Outdoor high jump national title.

Already one of the most decorated athletes in program history, Scheper earned the women’s team’s first title since 2007, and the first title overall since 2010.

Scheper was the first of four finalists to make it over 1.90 meters. The remaining three jumpers needed all three attempts and only Kansas State’s Kimberly Williamson made it over.

With just Scheper and Williamson moving on to 1.93 meters (6 feet, 23/4 inches), both fouled on their first two tries. Scheper would not need her final attempt, as Williamson’s third and final miss clinched the title. After missing out on indoor titles in 2013 and 2014, Scheper won on misses.

“The competition was extremely difficult, and even though the bar wasn’t as high as some people would have expected, it was a great experience and it was great after being here a few times and coming in second,” assistant head coach Delethea Quarles said.

In the final team standings, the USC women finished tied for 20th and the men finished tied for 60th. Host Oregon swept the team titles.

This story was originally published June 13, 2015 at 11:32 PM with the headline "USC’s Jeannelle Scheper wins NCAA high jump title."