Top High Jump Field Set for UCLA Meet May 18

One of the best American high jump competitions in recent years is set for the Pepsi Invitational track meet Saturday, May 18, at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.

The field will include Jimmy Howard, the American record holder indoors at 7-8 1/2, and Dwight Stones and Dennis Lewis, co-holders of the American outdoors record of 7-8.

The way the high jump has been going, the world mark of 7-10 appears to be reasonable possibility. The Drake Stadium facilities duplicate the Olympic runways at the Coliseum, enhancing the prospect of a top mark.

Howard has been hot indoors, with a series of fine performances, capped by his 7-8 1/2. Lewis only last week matched Stones’ U.S. mark with a leap of 7-8.

The veteran Stones was the fourth-place finisher in the Olympics and recorded his career best of 7-8.

Doug Nordquist, who finished fifth in the Olympics, also will be in the field, along with Briant Stanton, who recently leaped 7-6. Also in the field will be former UCLA standout Lee Balkin.