Pozolinski Earns First Team All-American Honors

Senior ties for second-best height at nationals

Birmingham, Ala. - Brett Pozolinski of the Milwaukee track & field team was named First Team All-American after finishing fifth in high jump at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships Friday at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Pozolinski was one of just six jumpers to clear 2.18m (7-1 3/4), finishing tied for fifth out of the 16 and well about his seeding of 14th at the national championship meet.

The fifth-place finish is the highest ever by a Panther at the NCAA Track & Field Championships, topping Cory Peterson's sixth-place finish in the indoor 800m (1997) and Durell Busby's seventh-place finish in the 110m hurdles just two years ago.

"This is a tremendous day for Milwaukee," Panther head coach Pete Corfeld said. "Brett came out and showed exactly what he is capable of. This is the hardest meet in the world to qualify for with just the top 16 qualifying and you have to come out and compete once you get here. That's exactly what Brett did.

"I'm so proud of him. I couldn't be happier right now. It's a banner day for the program, the athletic department and the university. It's just a great moment."

Pozolinski cleared the opening height of 2.13m (6-11 3/4) on his first attempt before sailing over the next height of 2.18m (7-1 3/4) on his second attempt at that mark.

Only one jumper cleared the next height of 2.23m (7-3 ¾), which would have shattered the UWM school record of 2.19m (7-2 ¼), already held by Pozolinski.

The Kimberly, Wis. native finished as one of just six jumpers to clear 2.18m, tying for fifth based on attempts.

"This is a crazy feeling," Pozolinski said. "I really didn't know what to expect going in. The opening height was by far the highest I've ever had to do by about 10 centimeters so I knew it was going to be hard. I was able to get some good jumps in warm ups going in and I just stayed confident throughout.

"It was very important (to clear the first height on the first attempt). I knew it was going to be a game or makes and misses and I was really fortunate to clear that opening height and save my energy and focus for the next attempts."

Milwaukee now scored at the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1997, finishing as the highest-scoring Horizon League institution, with Pozolinski posting the highest league finish at the national meet.

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Players Mentioned

Brett Pozolinski: Senior; Jumps

Players Mentioned

Brett Pozolinski
: Senior; Jumps