BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Senior Claudia Partridge logged a career-best ninth-place finish in the high jump at the NCAA Div. III Championships, which concluded on Saturday afternoon at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Partridge, who has qualified for the last three NCAA Div. III track & field championships, had no problem with the opening height, clearing 5 feet, 1.25 inches on her first try. The first try success carried over to 5 feet, 3.25 inches, after which just 14 of the 20 competitors remained.

Eight of the 14 cleared 5 feet, 5.25 inches on their first try, the mark Partridge was unsuccessful in clearing. Thanks to her unblemished performance in the opening two heights, that vaulted the fifth-year senior up to ninth-place.

"Claudia has had an outstanding indoor season, especially coming back from injury," said Dennis Rice, Wooster's head coach. "To be able to compete at the national championships is a special opportunity for all student-athletes. For Claudia to continue to challenge the top women in the country has been an amazing part of her career. We are looking forward for the outdoor season to hopefully have this same opportunity in May."

Tufts University's Jaidyn Appel was the national champion at 5 feet, 10 inches.

Wooster's outdoor season starts on March 16 at the three-day Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.