Rachel McCoy Jumps 6-5 To Match No. 4 In The World Before Weather Scrubs Meet

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

After just a few events on the schedule for Tuesday's USATF Invitational, a Journey To Gold series event, at Prairie View A&M Stadium in Texas, weather rolled in that postponed the meet and then forced its cancellation. 

Athletes had assembled for a competitive opportunity in a sprints-heavy event that included hurdles and jumps. 

Rachel McCoy was able to seize the opportunity to compete and jumped a lifetime best 6-5 (1.96m) in the high jump. It was a clearance that matches No. 4 in the world this year and she gained the coveted Olympic standard. She is the third U.S. woman to meet the qualifying standard for Tokyo, joining Vashti Cunningham and Jelena Rowe.

Nike athlete Chris Nilsen won the men's pole vault competition that moved indoors with a first-attempt clearance at 19-4.25 (5.90m), He missed three tries at 19-8.25 (6.00m), but remains the world outdoor leader this year at 19-4.75 (5.91m) from April 9 at the USATF Golden Games and Distance Open at Mt. SAC.

Kyle Pater, who trains with the Air Force World Class Athlete Program, was runner-up with a second-attempt clearance at 19-0.25 (5.80m) and reigning NCAA Division 1 Indoor champion KC Lightfoot, who gave up his remaining eligibility at Baylor and turned professional during the outdoor season, took third at 18-8.25 (5.70m).

Morgann LeLeux Romero won the women's pole vault that was contested outdoors before the storm arrived with a 15-1 (4.60m) clearance that was her second-best result of the year. Fifth-place finisher Natalie Uy matched her own Philippines national record with 14-1.50 (4.30m).

Chris Carter won the men's triple jump by nearly a meter, going 55-7.50 (16.9m). All five of his legal jumps would have won the competition. 

Nigeria edged Trinidad & Tobago in a two-team men's 4x100 relay, 39.56 to 39.81. Ten minutes later, Nigeria beat Canada in women's 4x100, 43.06 to 43.24. 

Two of the four women in the long jump took a single attempt before the weather forced a delay.