Bazile equals No. 3 jump in the world at Music City Challenge

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Ohio State senior Zack Bazile added more than a foot to his indoor personal best in the long jump Friday at Vanderbilt's Music City Challenge, saving his best for last with a leap of 26 feet, 8.25 inches (8.13m) in the final round.

Not only did Bazile take over the collegiate lead, but he ascended into a tie for third in the world this year and the top American with former Florida star Marquis Dendy. He didn't foul once in his series and all six jumps would have been good enough to win the competition.

Bazile's previous indoor personal best was 25-2.75 (7.69m) set at the Dr. Sander Invitational/Columbia Challenge two weeks ago at The Armory. His outdoor PR remains 26-1.75 (7.97m) from the Big Ten Championships in May.

Bazile joins Texas Tech junior Charles Brown, Florida State senior Corion Knight and Florida sophomore Grant Holloway as the only NCAA Division 1 jumpers to surpass the 26-foot mark this season.

Ole Miss senior Janeah Stewart continued to build toward an 80-foot effort in the weight throw, becoming only the third female performer in collegiate history and the eighth American to surpass 79 feet.

Stewart took second at 79-1.75 (24.12m) behind the world's all-time top performer in Gwen Berry, who threw 82-11 (25.27m).

Only Southern Illinois' Brittany Riley and Florida's Candice Scott have produced better throws than Stewart at the collegiate level.

Cincinnati's Annette Echikunwoke, the No. 6 all-time collegiate performer, placed third with a throw of 76-6.50 (23.33m).

Michigan junior Joseph Ellis took over the men's collegiate lead in the weight throw with a third-round effort of 76-5.50 (23.30m), improving to second in the world this year.