IU senior high jumper Derek Drouin broke IU, Big Ten and Canadian records when he cleared a 2.36-meter bar Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore.
He finished third in the event.
Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim won the event, hurdling himself over the bar at 2.40-meters. That is the highest jump in the world this year. It is the first time since 2000 someone has cleared that mark.
Drouin’s 2.36-meter clearance was equal to second place finisher Erik Kynard of Kansas Sate, but Kynard leaped over the bar on his second attempt, while Drouin did it on his third, putting Kynard ahead of Drouin.
The two collegians will square off again at the NCAA Championships, which run from Wednesday through Saturday in Eugene.
Kynard took silver in the 2012 Summer Olympics, with Drouin and Barshim finishing as part of a three-way tie for bronze.
Kynard won the NCAA Outdoor Championship the past two years, with Drouin finishing second last year.
Drouin took home the NCAA Outdoor Championship in 2010.
The IU jumper’s previous personal best outdoor jump came earlier this year when he cleared 2.33-meters. The Canadian record was 2.35-meters, set by Mark Boswell.
Kynard and Drouin have competed against each other 13 times, with Drouin finishing ahead on seven occasions.
—Robby Howard
Drouin sets new IU, Big Ten, Canadian high jump record
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