JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Morgan State's Jailah Mason is once again heading to the Eugene, Ore. to compete for a national championship in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (June 8-11).
A native of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Mason on Friday night was 1-of-12 athletes to clear 5-10 3/4 (1.80m) during the NCAA East Preliminary Round, hosted by the University of North Florida. Only the top 12 athletes out of the 48 qualifiers would advance to the NCAA Championships and Mason would finish 12th, securing the final spot out of the East Region.
Mason, a 5-11 sophomore, will now return to historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon for a second consecutive year, where she will also compete against the top 12 finalists from the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
Last year Mason finished tied for first during the East Preliminary Round, going through the women's high jump with an unblemished run to punch her ticket to the NCAA Championship with a jump of 5-11.50. She would be one of two jumpers to not miss an attempt during the competition.
Mason's return to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, caps off what has been yet another successful season for Mason. Earlier this year Mason advanced to the NCAA Indoor Championships and placed seventh overall in the high jump. In May, she captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference outdoor high jump title and then claimed the crown at the ECAC Championships. Two weeks ago Mason was named Morgan State's Female Athlete of the Year during the school's athletic banquet.
On Thursday, Shenel Crooke began the first day of the East Preliminary Round with a sixth-place finish in Heat 2 of the 100m dash. Crooke would finish in a time of 11.78 and placed 33rd overall.
"Shenel and Jailah had a great outdoor season this year and they continue to represent the University well,” said Morgan State head coach Neville Hodge. “The coaching staff is extremely proud of their accomplishments. After having a slow start to the outdoor season, Jailah had a major comeback and was able to advance to the NCAA National Championships for the second year in a row".
Hayward Field is one of the best known historic track and field stadiums in the United States. Named after the Oregon Ducks first track coach, Bill Hayward, who ran the program from 1904 to 1947, Hayward Field has served as home to the Oregon Ducks' football team from 1919 until 1967 and has been the home to the Ducks' track and field teams since 1921.
Hayward Field, which will host its 10th NCAA Championships, has also hosted the USATF Championships, USATF Elite Running Circuit events and the stadium annually hosts the Nike Prefontaine Classic in June. It hosted the US Track and Field Olympic Trials in 1972, 1976 and 1980, making it the only site to host three consecutive trials. It again hosted the Trials in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics and the 2012 Trials for the London Olympics.