Richards Qualifies for Fourth NCAA Championships

Wednesday, May 26

Jacksonville, Fla.

Southern Miss

NCAA East Preliminaries

Richards Qualifies for Fourth NCAA Championships

5/28/2021 8:28:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Southern Miss track and field standout Eric Richards punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships by finishing fourth in the high jump at the NCAA East Preliminaries hosted by the University of North Florida on Friday afternoon.

"Eric really stepped up his game today," head coach Jon Stuart said. "He put away some of his early season struggles to come through with a big performance at the right time. Eric stuck around for his COVID season of eligibility, and I'm so happy he gets another shot at the NCAA Championships."

Richards put together his best performance of the season, as he was one of just eight high jumpers to clear the bar at 7'2.25" to secure his spot in Eugene, Ore., marking the second career appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the Utica native.

"Eric had the day we knew he could have," jumps coach Jamaal Barnes added. "I couldn't be happier for him, especially with how the 2020 season ended. We're excited to see him get another opportunity to compete and take Southern Miss to the top!"

The three-time NCAA All-American will look to build upon his finish at the 2019 Outdoor Championships, where he set the school record with a leap of 7'4.5" to earn fifth place.