Yesterday afternoon, Jyles Etienne ’17 successfully defended his Hoosier Open high jump crown in the opening meet of the indoor season for Indiana University.

The former Bear passed at the first three heights (6′ 3.5″, 6′ 5.5″ & 6′ 7″) before clearing 6′ 8.75″ on his first attempt. He then passed at 6′ 10.25″ and 6′ 11.5″ before clearing 7′ 0.5″ on his second attempt to win the meet ahead of Kentucky’s Rahman Minor. He continued on to 7′ 3.25″, which would have been a record height for him, but he burst the seams of his shoe on his second attempt forcing him to retire for the day.

The Bahamian skyscraper won the Hoosier Open a year ago with a leap of 7′ 3″ in his first collegiate meet. Even more encouraging than yesterday’s victory was the fact that his hamstring, which hampered him for most of last year’s indoor and outdoor seasons, felt strong.

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