Freshman high jumper Mark Jones, who was recently awarded the honor of CU Independent Athlete of the Week, continues to thrive in competition.

On Friday night at the New Mexico Classic in Albuquerque, N.M., Jones cleared a height of 6 feet, 10 1/4 inches to earn fourth place in the event. Sophomore Jason DeWitt came in 12th place, jumping 6 feet, 6 1/4 inches. The event was led by Erik Kynard of Kansas State, who took first with a jump of 7 feet, 7 inches.

On the women’s side, senior Katie Dreher cleared 5 feet, 8 inches to earn sixth overall. She is only the eighth Buff in history to have cleared that mark, and it was her personal best by one inch. Western State took the women’s title with a 6 feet, 2 inch jump by Barbara Sbazo.

The track and field Buffs will be splitting up next weekend, competing in three different meets in three different states. Most Buffs will head to either Ames, Iowa for the Iowa State Classic (Feb. 9-11) or Seattle, Wash., for the Husky Classic (Feb. 10-11). Some athletes will also compete at the Air Force Collegiate Invitational at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Feb. 10-11).

Statistics courtesy of the University of Colorado Sports Information Department.

Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Caryn Maconi at Caryn.maconi@colorado.edu.