Blue Jay to jump today at national track meet

In her first season as a Blue Jay, after transferring from Evangel University, Westminster College sophomore Avylina Powel-Qualo will be competing in high jump today at the NCAA Division III National Championships.

Powel-Qualo made her qualifying jump April 22 at the Truman State Twlight Meet, when she cleared 1.70 meters, tying the eighth-best jump in the country. The top 16 jumps, including ties, advance to the national championships, meaning she will be one of 19 jumping.

This national appearance adds to the accolades Powel-Qualo has this season as she won the high jump championship at the SLIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships and earned a first-team all-conference award.

In her first Blue Jay basketball season, she was named second team all-conference and was part of a Westminster team that won the 2021 SLIAC Tournament Championship.

Powel-Qualo now holds the Westminster record for the best mark in the high jump. The previous record was held for 38 years after Marguerite Donovan set it in 1983.

Westminster track and field coach Will Crocker said Powel-Qualo has been impressive despite getting a later start because of the success of the basketball team.

"We are excited to ride the momentum that Avylina's performances have created into the national championships," Crocker said.

The national championships are to start at 11:30 a.m. today in Greensboro, North Carolina. The meet will be hosted by North Carolina A&T State University and the Greensboro Sports Foundation.