June 7, 2012

DES MOINES, IOWA- Memphis high jumper Darius Lynwood placed 13th at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Drake University, on Thursday. The sophomore cleared a height of 2.15m (7'.50") earning Second-Team All-America honors in the collegiate post-season finale.

"Darius showed great poise and composure today," Memphis track and field head coach Kevin Robinson said. "This was his first trip to the big dance, and he earned All-America honors. What excites me the most is that he is not satisfied with his performance."

Lynwood began the competition by clearing a height of 2.05m (6'8.75") in his first attempt. The Jackson, Tenn., native then cleared the next two progressions of 2.10m (6'10.75") and 2.15m (7'.50") each in one attempt. The following progression of 2.20m (7'2.5") proved to be sophomore's foil as he was unable to clear the height in three attempts thus ending his NCAA National Championship run.

This week closed out what was stellar sophomore campaign in which Lynwood won his first Conference USA Indoor Championship in the men's high jump. That performance garnered the Tiger First-Team All-C-USA Indoor.

In May, the sophomore took silver at the C-USA Outdoor Championships earning him Second-Team All-C-USA Outdoor merits. Following those performances, Lynwood broke a 34-year-old school-record in clearing the bar 2.19m (7'2.25") at the NCAA East Preliminary. The sophomore's record breaking mark ranks first in C-USA and is tied for 26th in NCAA Division I.

"He is extremely motivated to become the best high jumper that he can," Robinson continued. "He refuses to become complacent. With these character attributes, I am confident that he will continue to mature and improve as an athlete. He had a great season, and deserves some time off. I am very proud of Darius, and how he represents our program."

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