ALBUQUERQUE—  SF State senior track student-athlete Tiana Wills finished in second place in the High Jump at the USATF Indoor Championships this afternoon at the Albuquerque Convention Center in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a new school record of 6-2.  Wills finished second to Inika McPherson, who cleared 6-3.25 to win the event.  

"Tiana had an amazing day," said interim head coach Tom Lyons.  "This was a unique competition where the opening height was 1.77m (5-9.75), a height higher than she typically opens. With only six jumpers, the bar went up quickly."

Wills missed her first attempt but then easily cleared the bar twice at 1.77 (5-8), 1.82 (5-9.75)  putting her in third as the bar was raised to her personal best of 1.85m (6-0.75).  She cleared 1.85m on her second attempt holding third place (based on misses) with four women remaining.  The height of 1.85 tied her school record which she set last weekend at the Husky Classic in Seattle.

"I wasn't nervous going into this meet all week," said Tiana Wills.  "But like I expected, I got nervous right when the competition started. I went into this meet with no expectations therefore I wouldn't let myself down and worry myself for nationals. I just went into this meet wanting to be able clear opening height and once I did that, I wanted to PR. I didn't think I would place in the top-3, but I did and took second."

All four competitors missed their first attempt at 1.88m (6-2) but Wills was very close.  After a minor adjustment in her approach, she went over cleanly, jumping her lifetime-best and sitting in first place. Eventual winner, Inika McPherson, re-took the lead on the next jump but the other two missed their three attempts at the height leaving Tiana and the defending national champion to duel for first place.

Wills took three solid attempts at 1.91m (6-3.25) but didn't clear it.  McPherson made it on her third attempt to take the title.

"I'm so proud of Tiana for all she's accomplished," added Lyon.  "She and her coach, have done a fantastic job preparing for the national stage.  Overall, it was an amazing meet for Tiana, it was very exciting to see her in our SF State uniform competing with the top professionals in the US."

Wills will now be off until March14, when she participates in the 2014 NCAA Division II National Indoor Track & Field Championships in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The Gators will begin their outdoor season this Saturday, March 1 at the Kim Duyst Invitational hosted by Cal State Stanislaus at the Al Brenda Track at Warriors Stadium in Turlock, Calif.


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