Now That Welty Is on the Team, She Still Has to Make the Height

Time is running out on former NCAA high jump champion Amber Welty’s dream to compete in the Olympics this year.

Welty, who qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the high jump at the track and field trials at New Orleans last Saturday, needs to clear the Olympic qualifying standard of 6 feet 3 1/2 by midnight next Wednesday to ensure her trip to Barcelona.

Wednesday night, about 1,000 fans turned out to see Welty’s attempt to make it at a meet at Idaho State. She easily cleared 5-11 and 6-0 1/2 before missing all three attempts at 6-2.

Welty caught her shoulder on the way up on her first two attempts at 6-2 before hitting the bar with the back of her leg on the final attempt.

“I thought after clearing 6-0 1/2 by a mile that I was going to get the standard,” Welty said. “If I stay away from the bar and go up tall I’ve got it. I should’ve done it today. I should’ve done it a week ago.”

Welty will have at least two more chances to meet the standard. Friday she competes at an all-comers’ meet at Boise. Also in the meet is Vicki Borscheim, who finished fourth at the trials.

If she fails at Boise, Welty will go to Brigham Young for a meet Tuesday.