Wally's NCAA High Jump Thread

[Tugg Speedman]

NCAA Track regionals are going on now.  MU is in the west region in Austin TX.

Last night was the Men's High Jump.  Wally qualified for the Championship in two Weeks, June 10 in Eugene.

http://results.flotrack.org/2015/05-28-NCAAWest/Web/Vert.php?EN=13&RN=1&D=1

1980, can you provide any more color?

[Herman Cain]

Looks like Wally did a nice job. Hopefully he can have a great finals performance.

[Tugg Speedman]

The NCAA Championship High Jump Finals are Friday (June 12) and start at 6PM CT.  The meet is at "tracktown USA" ... the University of Oregon's Historic Hayward Field (and yes "historic" is now officially part of its name)

Here is the full schedule
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/images/2015/03/19/2015_ncaa_division_i_outdoor_track_field_schedule_final.pdf

The experts at Flotrack are projecting Wally as tied for 5th.  The four ahead of him have jumped higher than Wally's (2.28m, 7' 5.75") PR set at the Wisconsin indoor meet in January.

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/252127-NCAA-D1-Outdoor-Championships-2015/article/31930-NCAA-Mens-Team-Projections#.VXgsnEZy2FU

EVENT    PTS    PB    ATHLETE    YR    SCHOOL
HJ    10    2.31m    Jacorian Duffield    SR    Texas Tech
HJ    8    2.30m    Bryan McBride    SR    Arizona State
HJ    5.5    2.29m    Marcus Jackson    SR    Mississippi State
HJ    5.5    2.29m    Bradley Adkins    JR    Texas Tech
HJ    3    2.28m    Christoff Bryan    FR    Kansas State
HJ    3    2.28m    Wally Ellenson    JR    Marquette
HJ    3    2.28m    James White    SR    Nebraska
HJ    1    2.26m    Torian Ware    SR    Clemson

At Minnesota his Freshman year Wally finished 8th.  
Last year at Minnesota as a Sophomore he finished second.  He qualified as an All-American both years.
In March he finished 3rd in the NCAA indoors (behind Duffield and Adkins).  
Also note that ASU's McBride has been jumping so well recently that he has been competing in professional meets (as an amateur).

[Benny B]

The NCAA Championship High Jump Finals are Friday (June 12) and start at 6PM CT.  The meet is at "tracktown USA" ... the University of Oregon's Historic Hayward Field (and yes "historic" is now officially part of its name)

Here is the full schedule
http://i.turner.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/images/2015/03/19/2015_ncaa_division_i_outdoor_track_field_schedule_final.pdf

The experts at Flotrack are projecting Wally as tied for 5th.  The four ahead of him have jumped higher than Wally's (2.28m, 7' 5.75") PR set at the Wisconsin indoor meet in January.

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/252127-NCAA-D1-Outdoor-Championships-2015/article/31930-NCAA-Mens-Team-Projections#.VXgsnEZy2FU

EVENT    PTS    PB    ATHLETE    YR    SCHOOL
HJ    10    2.31m    Jacorian Duffield    SR    Texas Tech
HJ    8    2.30m    Bryan McBride    SR    Arizona State
HJ    5.5    2.29m    Marcus Jackson    SR    Mississippi State
HJ    5.5    2.29m    Bradley Adkins    JR    Texas Tech
HJ    3    2.28m    Christoff Bryan    FR    Kansas State
HJ    3    2.28m    Wally Ellenson    JR    Marquette
HJ    3    2.28m    James White    SR    Nebraska
HJ    1    2.26m    Torian Ware    SR    Clemson

At Minnesota his Freshman year Wally finished 8th.  
Last year at Minnesota as a Sophomore he finished second.  He qualified as an All-American both years.
In March he finished 3rd in the NCAA indoors (behind Duffield and Adkins).  
Also note that ASU's McBride has been jumping so well recently that he has been competing in professional meets (as an amateur).

There's professional high jumping?!?

[Tugg Speedman]

There's professional high jumping?!?

Professional track and field meets.

[SaveOD238]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but is there any chance we lose Wally for part or all of basketball season so he can train for the Olympic Trials?

[GGGG]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but is there any chance we lose Wally for part or all of basketball season so he can train for the Olympic Trials?

He has said that he is fully intending to play in 2015-16.  The trials are July 2016, so he would have time after the end of the season.

[Tugg Speedman]

He has said that he is fully intending to play in 2015-16.  The trials are July 2016, so he would have time after the end of the season.

I agree with this but the next few weeks will really answer the question. 

He competes in Eugene on Friday night and then again at the USATF national championship in Eugene (again) on June 25 to June 28.  How close he comes in two weeks to making the World Championship team for Beijing in August (only top 3 from nationals make it) will be how close he is to making the Olympic team. 

If he finishes in the top 3 Friday night (NCAA) and the top 5 to 8 again at nationals, then he is in the conversation to make the team for Rio. 

If that happens, as one person once posted here, I think the abstract becomes realistic and the decision becomes harder.  Prepare for Creighton in February or prepare for Rio and an Olympic team.

[warriorchick]

Professional track and field meets.

Yep, much more popular in other countries.

[Tugg Speedman]

Yep, much more popular in other countries.

Hugely popular in Europe.  The Paris meet will get 80,000 in attendance some years.

[Dawson Rental]

From Marquette Men's Basketball facebook page

[Ardmore Mug]

Olympic High Jump Finals are Aug 15-16, 2016...   

[Dawson Rental]

If the Winter Olympics can combine cross country skiing and riflery into one event, why can't the Summer Olympics combine dunking and the high jump into one event?

[Benny B]

If the Winter Olympics can combine cross country skiing and riflery into one event, why can't the Summer Olympics combine dunking and the high jump into one event?

Because high dunking just doesn't have the logical rationale behind it as skiing and shooting.

Now, high jump and fencing... that's something the IOC should look into.  They go together like peanut butter and used motor oil.  Mm-mmm.

[bilsu]

I agree with this but the next few weeks will really answer the question. 

He competes in Eugene on Friday night and then again at the USATF national championship in Eugene (again) on June 25 to June 28.  How close he comes in two weeks to making the World Championship team for Beijing in August (only top 3 from nationals make it) will be how close he is to making the Olympic team. 

If he finishes in the top 3 Friday night (NCAA) and the top 5 to 8 again at nationals, then he is in the conversation to make the team for Rio. 

If that happens, as one person once posted here, I think the abstract becomes realistic and the decision becomes harder.  Prepare for Creighton in February or prepare for Rio and an Olympic team.

The decision probably is not that hard. It will depend on how much playing time he is getting.

[Tugg Speedman]

5th place

He's jumped higher and the winning jump was Wally's PR.  I have to believe he's a bit disappointed.  That said it is very windy today and that can really screw up a high jumper (pushes them off the optimal jumping spot and they are either too close or too far away from the bar).

Duffield and Adkins were 1 and 2 in the indoor championship (Wally was #3)


Place   Athlete      Affiliation   Best Jump      Flight (Pl)   
1   Jacorian Duffield   SR   Texas Tech   2.28m (7-5 )      1 (1)    
2   Bradley Adkins   JR   Texas Tech   2.25m (7-4)      1 (2)    
3   Avion Jones   JR   East Carolina   2.25m (7-4)      1 (3)    
4   Marcus Jackson   SR   Miss State   2.22m (7-3)      1 (4)    
5   Wally Ellenson   JR   Marquette   2.19m (7-2)      1 (5)    
6   Bryan McBride   SR   Arizona State   2.19m (7-2)   1 (6)    
7   James White   SR   Nebraska   2.19m (7-2)      1 (7)    

[GGGG]

So can the slip from one year to the next be "blamed" on different coaches, or is it within the margin of error.

[Tugg Speedman]

So can the slip from one year to the next be "blamed" on different coaches, or is it within the margin of error.

He did jump his PR this year at MU (2.28m 7-5.75).  It was his first meet in at Wisconsin in January.  After that he never approached that level again this year.  I was hoping he would be a consistent 2.25m to 2.28m jumper but he was not, for whatever reason.

Regarding today.  I have to believe being at northern school and not being able to train outside as much as some of the southern schools hurt him.  It was very windy in Eugene today and he doesn't have the experience dealing with the elements.  That may be why his PR was indoor and he was third in the indoor championship in March ... he trains indoors.

[Tugg Speedman]

Lastly he did qualify for the US National championships June 25-28 back in Eugene.  I assume he will be back in two weeks trying again.

[Dawson Rental]

Because high dunking just doesn't have the logical rationale behind it as skiing and shooting.

Now, high jump and fencing... that's something the IOC should look into.  They go together like peanut butter and used motor oil.  Mm-mmm.

Obviously, my earlier voiced concerns regarding you're mental state continue.

[Tugg Speedman]

Ellenson Takes Fifth in NCAA High Jump Final
Marquette's Wally Ellenson claims third-straight All-America honor

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/061215aaa.html

EUGENE, Oregon-- Marquette University junior high jumper Wally Ellenson earned All-American status for the third-straight year at the NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships, taking fifth in front of a packed house and a national television audience at Historic Hayward Field, this evening, June 12.

After passing the opening height of 2.08 meters (6-9 feet), Ellenson cleared 2.12 meters (6-11.5 feet) with ease. The same held true for the next two heights and, following a big jump at 2.19 meters (7-2.25 feet), the junior from Rice Lake, Wisconsin was tied for first place in the competition.

Seven jumpers advanced to 2.22 meters (7-3.25 feet) and all but one failed on their first attempts. Eventual champion Jacorian Duffield of Texas Tech was the only jumper to clear his first attempt. It marked Ellenson's first unsuccessful clearance in his previous eight jumps dating back to the BIG EAST Conference Championships in early-March. He cleared all four of his jumps at the West Preliminaries in Austin, Texas back on May 28, to punch his ticket to nationals.

Unfortunately, Ellenson brushed the bar on his final two attempts at that height and would go on to take fifth place in the competition.

Duffield would push the bar to 2.32 meters (7-7 feet), but was unable to clear any of his three attempts, thus ending the competition with a winning height of 2.28 meters (7-5 feet).

Ellenson's season will continue as he heads back to Eugene in two weeks to compete in the same venue for the U.S. Track & Field Outdoor Championships, June 25-28.

[Tugg Speedman]

USATF outdoor championships schedule is out.

The men's high jump is Friday (June 26) At 540 pm (pt)

http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Schedule.aspx

Again it is in Eugene OR at Historic Hayward Field (same place as NCAA).

19 jumpers have qualified (7 college jumpers, the rest are track professionals). Wally's height of 2.28m (7' 5.75") is tied for 12 best.

http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Status-of-Entries.aspx

The best jump by as American this year is 2.35m (7' 8.5") by Erik Kynard.  He was the silver medalist in the 2012 Olympics, 2013 grad of Kansas State, and competes for Brand Jordan. His PR is 2.37 (7' 9.25")

[Tugg Speedman]

USATF Championship is now complete ... Wally finished in a three-way tie for 12th.  

Miss and then made at 2.15m, (7' 0.5")
Then missed three times at 2.20m (7' 2.5")

http://www.flashresults.com/2015_Meets/Outdoor/06-25_USATF/024-1-01.htm

Again he jumped 2.28m (7' 5.75") at the Wisconsin indoor meet in January (his first in an MU Uni) and then never again approach that height this year.  Another 2.28m jump today would have gotten Wally 4th or 5th today.

It is sunny, no clouds and exactly 99 degrees in Eugene as he jumped.  As I noted before, the lack of jumping outside because of the northern climate probably hurt him.  He seems to be a better indoor jumper than an outdoor jumper.

If he wants any chance to make the Olympic team next year, he has to start making his PR of 2.28m (7' 5.75") over and over.  Then needs to be attempting 2.31m (7' 7") to 2.34m (7' 8").  Bowing out at at 2.15m to 2.20m is not going to cut it.

If he wants to medal in the Olympics, he needs to jump 2.40m (7' 10.5") to 2.43m (7' 11.5")

The top three are going to Beijing in August for the World Championship

1. 2.37m (7' 9.25") Erik Kynard of Brand Jordan (silver medalist in the 2012 London Olympics).  He made an attempt at 2.41m(7' 10.75") which would have been a new American Record.  He just missed... the bar wobbled and then fell.  Had he made it, he would have gotten a six figure bonus from Brand Jordan.
2. 2.34m (7' 8") A new Personal Record JaCorian Duffield of Texas Tech (NCAA Outdoor champion two weeks ago, and indoor champion last March)
3. 2.31m (7' 7") Jesse Williams of Nike (2011 World Champion ... 6' 0" 31 year old white guy who has hit his head on the rim when dunking)