MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Gallaudet University senior jumper Hannah Wetzel (Fremont, Calif.) proudly represented the Bison track and field team at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships here Friday as she competed in the women's high jump.

Wetzel cleared 1.63 meters (5 feet, 4.25 inches) to finish 19th overall out of 22 participants on a hot, sunny and breezy afternoon.

Loras College junior Sara Hopkins jumped a personal best 1.74 meters (5 feet, 8.5 inches) to win the high jump event and become a national champion. Hopkins cleared 1.74 meters on her first attempt. Fellow junior teammate Grace Alley finished second with the same height but needed two attempts. Carnegie Mellon University senior Elizabeth Barre rounds out the top three as she cleared 1.71 meters (5 feet, 7.25 inches).

Wetzel, who made her NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship debut, easily cleared the opening height of 1.58 meters (5 feet, 2.25 inches). Wetzel was fourth in the jumping line-up of 22 participants.

In the 1.63-meter round, Wetzel missed her first two attempts before gliding gracefully over the bar on the third attempt to advance.

In the 1.68-meter round, Wetzel's best attempt came on the first jump as her upper torso cleared the bar, but her leg touched the bar as she landed on the crash mat.

After her third and final attempt at 1.68 meters, Wetzel walked off the crash mat disappointed and hugged Coach Byron Moore as her career came to an end.

"Today competing at nationals is a bittersweet ending of my collegiate career," said Wetzel. "I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else than Gallaudet University. I would like to thank my teammates for making these years so fun, but most importantly, Coach Moore for his dedication and support."

Wetzel has much to be proud of as she leaves Gallaudet as one of the most decorated women's track and field stars in Bison history. Wetzel, who qualified for both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor National Championships her senior season, earned a second team All-American honor for high jump during the indoor season. She graduates with seven school records (four in outdoor) and set all three jumping event school records during the indoor and outdoor seasons. Wetzel is a two-time ECAC Outdoor Championship Women's Top Performer honoree and conference Field Athlete of the Year in back-to-back seasons to go with other all-region, all-conference and player of the week awards.

"Hannah Wetzel has been a true pleasure to work with. Since her first year she has worked through injuries and setbacks, all the while continuing to improve in all of her events. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to coach Hannah at Gallaudet," said Moore.
 
"I am looking forward to continuing to work with her this coming summer in Taipei (Deaflympics). Then in a much different role next season as she steps into the position as graduate assistant [cross country and track and field programs]."

UP NEXT
Gallaudet first-year sprinter Oceana Brown (Miami, Fla.) will run in the final of the women's 200-meter dash tomorrow (Saturday, May 25) at 6:40 p.m.