Check one more milestone off the list for K-State senior high jumper Erik Kynard.
With a jump of 2.26 meters (7-05.00), Kynard broke the R.V. Christian Track Complex facility record in the men’s high jump Saturday during the Ward Haylett Invitational in Manhattan. The previous record was 2.24 meters (7-04.50) held by former Olympian Ed Broxterman. That record had stood since 1998.
Kynard also received the Heartbeat of the Team Award from the 299th Brigade Support Battalion, the track and field team’s partner unit from Fort Riley. It was given to the team member who best demonstrated high moral character in keeping with the ideals of the U.S. Army: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.
“The award is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever won in my life. It feels like you’re part of Call of Duty or something,” Kynard said in a statement. “Today, I just wanted to break the record, put on a little show and I didn’t expect to jump 2.31, but maybe I could have jumped that bar if wasn’t so windy.”
Other K-Sate winners at the meet:
– Kyle Wait won the men’s pole vault with a mark of 5.38 meters (17-07.75)
– Jessica Carter won the women’s discuss with a throw of 51.80 meters (169-11)
– Jake Darrington won the men’s javelin with a throw of 58.29 meters (191-03)
– Richelle Farley won the women’s 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.42 seconds
– Jasmine Gibbs won the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.08 meters (19-11.5) and the women’s 100 meter dash with a time of 11.33 seconds
– Ifeanyi Otuonye won the men’s 100 meter dash with a time of 10.54 seconds
– Jharyl Bowry won the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.64 meters
– Carlos Rodriguez won the men’s 400 meters with a time of 46.89 seconds
– Ryan Hershberger won the men’s shot put with a throw of 17.26 meters (56-07.50)