Jonas Wins NCAA High Jump Title

Fayetteville, Ark. - Senior Dusty Jonas culminated his last indoor season as the best high jumper in the country as the four-time All-American won his first national championship Saturday night. His height of 7-7 (2.31) is the highest jump in the history of <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?><?xml:namespace prefix="U1"?><?xml:namespace prefix="U3"?>Nebraska track and field either indoors and outdoors. The indoor record was previously held by Jeff Loescher who jumped 7-6 (2.29) in 1985.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Jonas was on top of his game all day, as he cleared the first six bars (2.09, 2.14, 2.19, 2.22, 2.25 and 2.28) on his first attempt. Jonas' only competition on the day was Big 12 indoor champion Scott Sellers of Kansas State, who stayed with Jonas until the 7-4 1/2 (2.25) bar. Sellers was then not able to clear at 7-5 3/4 (2.28). Jonas almost cleared 7-7 on his first attempt, barely clipping the bar with his leg. He would not be denied on his second attempt, as the 7-7 height put him somewhere no other Husker has been able to reach.

Head Coach Gary Pepin couldn't be happier for his senior jumper.

"7-7 is something that is very special, and I think even if Dusty (Jonas) hadn't won today, he and I would have been very happy he cleared 7-7," Pepin said. "Dusty is now somewhere that only special people get to. He has a bright future not only in the outdoor season, but after his career at <?xml:namespace prefix="U6"?>Nebraska. I am just so pleased to see all his hard work pay off and that he won a national championship.  

Jonas was relieved that all of his and Pepin's hard work had finally paid off.

"Truthfully it really hasn't sunk in yet that I am a national champion. Right now it just feels like I've set a new PR at any regular meet. Coming in, I knew I had a chance and both Coach Pepin (Gary Pepin) and Nic (volunteer coach Nic Petersen) said they knew I had what it was going to take today to win. The strange thing is I think I am happier that I cleared 7-7. Hopefully over the next few days it will set in that I'm a national champion," said Jonas.

Jonas was not the only Husker earning hardware on day two of the NCAA Indoor Championships as Sheryl Morgan and Lukas Hulett each finished seventh in the 400 meters.

Morgan, who  was running her last race as a Husker, gave it her all as she finished with a time of 53.53. It was a sad goodbye for Morgan, but she was very happy to have the opportunity to run at Nebraska.

"I am sad that this is my last meet, but being on the podium makes me very happy. My experience at Nebraska was great and I just want to thank all the coaches for everything they've allowed me to do. I'm very happy to be able to call myself an All-American," said Morgan.

Hulett, who ran the fifth-fastest time in the preliminaries, had trouble getting into a flow in the finals, finishing with a time of 47.22. Even though Hulett was not happy with his final race, he was proud to be able to say he has earned All-America honors for the second-straight year.

"I didn't run very well today, and I am really disappointed about that. I really wanted to PR again today, but I am very pleased to be an All-American again. This just motivates me to get ready for the outdoor season," said Hulett.

Senior Peter van der Westhuizen and freshman Paul Hamilton also competed on day two for the Huskers. van der Westhuizen finished 11th in the mile run at 4:07.77,  and Hamilton finished 12th in the high jump with a leap of 6-10 1/4 (2.09).

Afterward Hamilton said it was a real honor to be at the meet and seeing Jonas perform was an indescribable performance.

"I really wanted to clear the 7-0 bar. I am happy though that I was able to clear the first bar (6-10 1/4; 2.09). Being a freshman this was an unreal experience. Now I'm just going to get ready for outdoors and hopefully make a trip to the NCAA outdoor meet," said Hamilton.

Overall the Husker men finished tied for 17th with 12 points while the women finished 52nd with 3.5 points.

The Huskers will now get ready for the outdoor season where they will open up at the Jim Click Shootout in Tucson, Ariz., and the Stanford Invitational in Palo, Alto, Calif., on April 4 and 5.