A WORLDS OR OLYMPIC finalist at the last trio of big dances (2021–23), World Indoor silver medalist Shelby McEwen took care of business with a clean slate up through the winning height on his road to Paris.
As 10 athletes cleared 7-2¼ (2.19) in an uneventful Q round, the only surprises were the elimination of formchart No. 4 Dontavious Hill who failed 3 times at 7-2¼ and chart No. 5 Vernon Turner, who only managed 7-¼ (2.14) behind on the countback to two who advanced with that mark.
By the time the finalists had cleared the second height, 7-3 (2.21), seven jumpers were left, headed by JuVaughn Harrison, Corvell Todd and Tyus Wilson, the trio with clean slates to that point. At 7-4¼ (2.24) Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Caleb Snowden, McEwen looking very impressive, and Tyus Wilson all cleared first time, and were followed by Harrison with a second-time clearance. That left Todd in 5th place heading up the 7-3 jumpers.
At 7-5¼ (2.27) McEwen had another clean clearance, while Snowden, Harrison and Wilson all missed. The trio failed on their second attempts, with Budapest Worlds silver medalist Harrison taking off too far from the bar and not getting his legs up quick enough when crossing the bar. Snowden then equaled his PR with his third attempt at the setting. Wilson and Harrison missed, leaving Wilson ahead of Harrison in 3rd on the countback.
At 7-6½ (2.30) McEwen, with only his fourth jump of the day, again had a clean clearance, with Snowden unsuccessful, but happy, in 2nd place. McEwen then had three attempts at a personal best 7-8¾ (2.36) and celebrated his win with some gymnastics in the pit.
Qualification for the Paris high jump entails finishing in the top 3 at the Trials, having cleared the qualifying standard, 7-7¾ (2.33) or being ranked within the WA rankings top-32 at the date World Athletics closes off entries, July 7. Only McEwen and Harrison have cleared the qualifying height and are ranked within the top-32. Outside the required ranking are Snowden (64th) and Wilson (49th), meaning that Harrison is likely to join McEwen among the U.S. representatives in Paris.
McEwen looked very much like a contender off his jumping in Eugene and credited the impetus of having won a medal over the winter in Glasgow. “Ever since then I’ve just been locked in,” he said. “My faith and everything has been so high, my vision and everything leading up to now. And it’s only the beginning so I can’t wait to see what goes on in Paris. I’m looking forward to bringing some more hardware home.”
MEN’S HIGH JUMP RESULTS
FINAL (June 30)
1. Shelby McEwen (Nike) 7-6½ (2.30);
2. Caleb Snowden (ArPB) 7-5¼ (2.27);
3. Tyus Wilson (Nb) 7-4¼ (2.24);
4. JuVaughn Harrison (Puma) 7-4¼ (2.24);
5. Corvell Todd (unat) 7-3 (2.21);
=6. Jaivon Harrison (GVal) 7-3 (2.21);
=6. Kyle Rollins (GardStTC) 7-3 (2.21);
=8. Tito Alofe (Harv) 7-1 (2.16);
=8. Mayson Conner (TS) 7-1 (2.16);
10. Devin Loudermilk (Ks) 7-1 (2.16);
11. Earnest Sears (NvGaz) 7-1 (2.16);
… nh—Scottie Vines (CoHS).
QUALIFYING (June 27)
Qualifiers: Loudermilk & Todd cleared 7-¼/2.14, all other finalists cleared 7-2¼/2.19;
Non-Qualifiers: [7-¼/2.14]—Charles McBride (Camp), Aidan Clark (VaT), Vernon Turner (adidas), Kamyren Garrett (Il), Jonathan Rankins James (GVal), Elijah Kosiba (GVal);
[nh]—Trey Allen (Louis), Brady Palen (Wich), Andrew Taylor (unat), Dontavious Hill (unat), Brion Stephens (Louis), Michael Millslagle (Gracel), Kason O’Riley (Ar).
| 7-1 | 7-3 | 7-4¼ | 7-5¼ | 7-6½ | 7-8¾ | |
| Todd | o | o | xxx | — | — | — |
| Vines | xxx | — | — | — | — | — |
| Snowden | o | xo | o | xxo | xxx | — |
| Alofe | o | xxx | — | — | — | — |
| McEwen | o | p | o | o | o | xxx |
| Jai. Harrison | o | xo | xxx | — | — | — |
| Juv. Harrison | p | o | xo | xxx | — | — |
| Rollins | o | xo | xxx | — | — | — |
| Wilson | o | o | o | xxx | — | — |
| Sears | xo | p | xxx | — | — | — |
| Conner | o | xxx | — | — | — | — |
| Loudermilk | xo | xxx | — | — | — | — |
| 2.16 | 2.21 | 2.24 | 2.27 | 2.30 | 2.36 |