The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Ex Jamal Wilson to jump in Olympic Games
06.29.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
High jumper qualifies for Bahamas Olympic team.
EUGENE, Oregon – Dozens of Texas Longhorns are vying for spots on Olympic teams across all sports and the first track & field star from The Forty Acres punched his ticket to Rio this week.
Lifetime Longhorn Jamal Wilson finished second in the high jump at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' National Championship on Monday night. Wilson cleared a height of 2.25 meters (7-4.50) to his silver finish and to earn one of three spots on his home nation's Olympic squad.
"There aren't much feelings better than turning your dreams into a reality," Wilson posted on his Twitter account after qualifying to the Rio Olympic Games.
Earlier in the year, Wilson cleared 2.30 meters (7-6.50), surpassing the IAAF Olympic Standard mark of 2.29 meters to make him eligible for the Olympic Games if he could finish in the top three at the Bahamas National Championship.
As his journey to Rio fast approaches, Wilson's excitement is growing as he has been tracking the success of the Longhorns on social media at the Olympic Swimming Trials and anticipating the upcoming Olympic Trials for track & field. On Tuesday, he again took to Twitter to show his support.
"My Longhorns are gonna have a full squad in Rio this year! Hookem," he tweeted. "Need some new Texas gear so I can rep my squad while in Rio."
Need some new Texas gear so I can rep my squad while in Rio ?? @UTexasTrack
— Jamal Wilson (@RealHighBarz) June 29, 2016
The men's high jump qualifying round in Rio is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 14 with the final on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Wilson currently ranks 12th in the world.
