Carolyn Webster

Carolyn Webster from The College of Wooster track & field team was right there with Div. III's elite high jumpers as the freshman sensation just missed out on All-American honors on Saturday at the 2016 NCAA Div. III Indoor Championships, held at Grinnell, Iowa.

Webster tied for 11th in the crowded field, topping out at 5 feet, 5 inches. She finished one attempt away from earning an All-American certificate as nine of the 16 competitors turned in a 5 feet, 5 inch clearance, with five of them successfully clearing on their first try. Webster cleared the 5 feet, 5 inch mark on her second attempt.

"It was an exciting opportunity for Carolyn to compete against the best women in the country," said head coach Dennis Rice. "She handled it with excellent confidence and (having the opportunity to compete at the national championships) really sets the tone for her future, not just in the high jump, but also with the long jump, pentathlon, and heptathlon. It was great for her to get this experience at such a young age."

Webster's appearance at the national championships capped a banner indoor season for the freshman. She matched Wooster's indoor high jump school record (5 feet, 6 inches) at the Kenyon College Classic, won the high jump at the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships, earned all-Ohio honors in the high jump, and added an all-conference certificate in the long jump.

Gladys Njoku, from the Steven's Institute of Technology, won the event at 5 feet, 8.75 inches.

Webster and her teammates now turn their attention to the outdoor season, slated to begin at next week's Shamrock Invitational at Conway, S.C.