Turner Crowned National Champion

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Redshirt junior Vernon Turner wrapped up a dominating OU indoor career as a high jump national champion Saturday at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

"I'm so proud of our team's performance at nationals," said head coach Tim Langford. Vernon Turner's win in the high jump left everyone on an emotional high. The entire arena was electrified by his 7'7 clearance. To have Olivia Lueking show up and perform as a freshman shows absolute promise for the future of our program. Payden Montana did a phenomenal job to score in one of the most competitive shot put finals in history. All in all, it's an amazing accomplishment just to make the indoor national championship. It's the most elite meet in the world and our Sooners showed up and showed out!"

"Our athletes displayed the fighting spirit needed to be called All-Americans." - Tim Langford

Turner highlighted Oklahoma's run at the indoor nationals, clearing a season-best at 7-7.25 (2.32m) on his second attempt to claim the title. With the first-place finish, Turner became the first high jump NCAA indoor champion in Oklahoma history.

"I think to come out here and finally win a national championship kind of makes it all worth it," said Turner. "All the adversity I've gone through has definitely been worth it. To be able to go 2.32 meters again after my freshman year definitely means I'm back to where I should've been. Hopefully, I can take a shot at the collegiate record soon."

Freshman Olivia Lueking made her NCAA Indoor Championships debut by snatching a first-team All-America honor with a fourth-place finish in pole vault, clearing 14-5.50 (4.41m).

In women's shot put, junior Payden Montana earned first team All-America honors. Her best mark came from her fourth attempt at 56-7.25 (17.25m), securing sixth place.

Junior Mikeisha Welcome was named a second team All-American in women's triple jump with a leap of 41-8 (12.70m).

UP NEXT

The Sooners will travel to Fort Worth, Texas for their outdoor season opener at the TCU Invitational on March 18-19.

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