EUGENE, Ore. – Senior
Bryson DeBerry finished sixth in the high jump to become the third Maverick of the week to make the podium and the UT Arlington men's track and field team placed 25th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Friday evening at Hayward Field.
It is the highest finish for the Mavs as well as the first time three different athletes podiumed since 1996. The Mavericks scored 11 total points, also the most since 13 in 1996, and tied with the likes of track and field powerhouses Texas A&M and host Oregon. UTA finished ahead of programs such as Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Kentucky, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, Miami, and Nebraska.
DeBerry put together a masterful showing for the final time in orange and blue and came out on a tear, similar to prelims in Fayetteville two weeks ago. He cleared his first three jumps with relative ease, getting over 2.10m (6-10¾), 2.15m (7-½), and 2.18m (7-1¾) all on his first jump.
A fired up DeBerry glanced at the crowd after clearing 2.18m to show that he was locked in and looking for more than just a spot on the podium.
The field dwindled down to seven to attempt 2.21m (7-3) and DeBerry had to use all three of his jumps. On his final attempt, DeBerry just narrowly scraped the bar as it slowly wiggled off, ending his season. Regardless, an incredible effort found DeBerry sixth in the country and a four-time All-American.
DeBerry, along with
Lucas Van Klaveren and
Arthur Petersen, will all be named First Team All-Americans for their efforts this past week. Their point totals earned also were the key contributing factor to UTA finishing in the top 25 of the event.
Additionally,
Joel Bengtsson will add a Second Team All-American honor for his performance.
Jade Bontke was also in action on Friday as she led off the heptathlon for UTA. She got off to a slow start, placing 21st in the 100 meter hurdles at 14.38 followed by a 15th place finish in the high jump at 1.69m (5-6½) and an 18th place finish in the shot put at 11.49m (37-8½).
However, she bounced back in a big way in the nightcap with a big run in the 200 meter dash, winning her heat and finishing seventh with an impressive time of 24.62. That was good enough to move her up to 16th in the heptathlon standings with 3,316 points.
Bontke will be the long Maverick in action tomorrow as she wraps up her final three events of the heptathlon beginning at 10:30 a.m. PT.
2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships
Eugene, OR | Hayward Field
All times in Pacfic Time Zone
Wednesday, June 8
Thursday, June 9
Friday, June 10
- 1:00 PM: Jade Bontke – Women's Heptathlon (100h, High Jump, Shot Put, 200m) – 3,316 points (16th place)
- 5:30 PM: Bryson DeBerry – Men's High Jump (Final) – 2.18m (7-1¾) (6th place)
Saturday, June 11
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