EUGENE, Ore. — After a stellar career at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Laurinburg native Trey McRae finishes in incredible fashion, placing third in the nation in the men’s high jump at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., at the University of Oregon last week.
The senior All-American recorded a mark of 2.19m (7’2.25”) to take the bronze medal, and becomes the best finisher in school history, bettering sprinter Shareese Woods, who previously held the title with a 4th place finish in the 200m in 2005.
McRae’s third place finish is the best amongst Conference USA competitors since 2008, when the title was won outright by UTEP’s Michael Hanany, and ties for the second best finish in the league overall.
“This feels amazing,” McRae said. “Deep down, I wish I had gotten first, because I’m a true competitor at heart and that’s always in the back of your mind, but to have started this sport five years ago and to win third at the NCAAs is something absolutely incredible.”
He also competed in the long jump, finishing in 17th with a mark of 7.39m (24.3 ft).
The Scotland High graduate will leave Charlotte as one of the most successful field athletes in program history, taking the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year honor earlier this week, has earned All-American status four times, and has reached the medal podium at league championships an amazing 11 times across four seasons.
“I have to thank God for everything, and I’m thrilled to be leaving Charlotte as one of the most successful track and field athletes from the program. I’ve had amazing coaching and worked really hard to get to this point. I’m blessed, and I’ve enjoyed the journey.”
He was named the 2015 C-USA Indoor Field Performer of the Meet and the 2016 C-USA Outdoor Field Performer of the Meet and High Point Scorer of the Meet, and holds the school records in both the indoor and outdoor high jump.
“This is a great accomplishment for Trey,” Director of Track and Field and Cross Country and jumps coach Robert Olesen said. “At this level, everyone is super talented and it becomes about who executes. His first clearance at 7’2.25 was a clutch performance.
“Trey has worked very hard for this and the successful outcome is so well deserved.”
