GENEVA, Ohio – Senior
Perry Christie was victorious in the high jump, capping a successful three-day showing for Rutgers track and field at the 2021 Big Ten Indoor Championships at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. It marks the first Big Ten gold medal in the event for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers earned medals in the men's high jump (gold), women's high jump (silver), men's 400-meter (bronze) and women's pole vault (bronze).
"I think we took a huge step forward as a program," said
Bob Farrell, director of track and field and cross country. "The women competed extremely well, scoring in several events and breaking school records in the process. I'm very excited to build on this and have a great outdoor season.
"We had some big performances this weekend," Farrell added. "The men really stepped up on day three in particular. We are starting to really put the pieces together. We got a very strong outdoor squad returning so I'm looking forward to getting back to work."
Christie, who owns the school record in the event, cleared a height of 2.18m (7' 1.75") to outpace the second-place jumper by two and three-quarter inches. The winning performances adds to his bronze finish in the high jump at the 2010 Big Ten Indoor Championships. Christie earned First Team All-Big Ten honors for his efforts.
Redshirt junior
Courteney Campbell claimed the silver in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.78m (5' 10") en route to her first medal in the indoor event. The school record holder in the high jump (indoor), Campbell was named Second Team All-Big Ten, finishing with two medals in the conference championships as she earned silver in 2019 outdoor.
Freshman Ka' Leila Abrille added to an already brilliant debut season, shattering her school record in the pole vault with a heigh of 4.20m (13' 9.25") and take third in the event. She set and reset the previous school record for the third time.
Senior
Taj Burgess gave the Scarlet Knights their fourth medal with his third-place finish in the 400-meter with a time of 45.82. It's the first indoor medal for Burgess and his third overall after earning silvers in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay outdoors. This is the fifth medal for Rutgers all-time in the indoor 400-meter.
The Scarlet Knights earned six other podium finishes over the three-day championships.
On the women's side, redshirt freshman
Claudine Smith finished fourth in the triple jump on day two of the conference championship. A school record holder in the event, she recorded a distance of 12.48m (40' 11.5"). Redshirt sophomore
Icisys Sadler also earned a fourth-place finish, running a PR time of 8.45 in the 60-meter hurdles. It was the second-fastest time in the event in school history. Redshirt sophomore
Reanda Richards took fifth in the 400-meter with a time of 54.60 to add to the Scarlet Knights' point total. Redshirt sophomore
Jasmine Van Note reset her previous school record in the shot put for the second time this season, recording a distance of 15.64m (51' 3.75").
Earning podium finishes on the men's side was redshirt junior
Qayyim Ali who finished fourth in the high jump, clearing a PR height of 2.08m (6' 9.75"). He was joined by redshirt sophomore Nadal Buntin in the 200-meter with a fifth-place finish in a PR time of 21.13. Redshirt sophomore
A'nan Bridgett took sixth in the long jump with a leap of 7.30m (23' 11.5") on day one of the championships to give Rutgers its first points.
The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held on Friday, March 12 and Saturday March 13.
High Jump
1.
Perry Christie – 2.18m (7' 1.75")
4.
Qayyim Ali – 2.08m (6' 9.75")
Long jump
6.
A'nan Bridgett – 7.30m (23' 11.50")
200M
5.
Nadale Buntin – 21.13
400M
3.
Taj Burgess – 45.82
High Jump
2.
Courteney Campbell – 1.78m (5' 10")
Pole Vault
3.
Ka'Leila Abrille – 4.20m (13' 9.25")
Triple Jump
4.
Claudine Smith – 12.48m (40' 11.50")
60M H
4.
Icisys Sadler – 8.45 PR
400M
4.
Reanda Richards – 54.60
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