AUSTIN, Texas – In just his first season competing for the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Track & Field program, high jumper
Zhafear Ray quickly made a name for himself by winning the Southland Conference Outdoor Track & Field title and notching the third best jump in program history.
Ray completed his freshman campaign with a 37th
-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship West Prelims on Saturday night at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
"Zhafear has had a stellar season," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country
Shawn Flanagan said. "It is quite remarkable what he was able to accomplish as a freshman. His growth during the outdoor season, winning the conference title and qualifying for the NCAA Prelims is just the start of a great career on the Island. The future is very bright for him."
Flying out of the gate, Ray cleared the opening bar of 2.00 meters (6' 6.75") with a nearly perfect jump.
The next bar at 2.05 meters (6' 8.75") proved to be a challenge, as the freshman missed on the first two attempts. Assistant coach
Cody Knight provided the necessary corrections for Ray to clear the height.
The 2.10-meter bar (6' 10.75") spelled the end of the season for Ray, as he missed on all three attempts.
Ray opened his first indoor campaign for the Blue and Green with just one podium finish, second place at the Dunamis Sports Group College Classic; though, the Dallas native finished in a scoring position in each of the five indoor meets.
The transition to outdoor campaign was exactly what Ray needed, as he tallied with three straight first-place finishes at the Valley Classic, Islander Open and the Cougar Spring Break Invitational to start the season.
The rookie notched his NCAA Prelims qualifying height of 2.12 meters (6' 11.5") at the Texas Invitational in April, the third best jump in school history.
A jump of 2.05 meters (6' 8.75") at the Texas State Bobcat Classic ensured that Ray entered the Southland Conference Championship with a win. At the conference meet in New Orleans, Ray went a perfect 5-for-5 to easily dominate the field at 2.07 meters (6' 9.5").
Ray was named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, becoming the first in Islanders history.
Along with sophomore
Sashane Hanson, who competed in the NCAA Prelims yesterday, the Islanders will have come serious experienced talent returning for the 2018 season, as the duo will aim to keep their vice grip on the Southland Conference.
STAY SOCIAL
For the latest information on Islanders Track & Field, follow the teams on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (/TAMUCCTFXC).
