After placing second to the defending national champion Erik Kynard of Kansas State for the last two NCAA Outdoor Championships, Derek Drouin of Indiana made sure it didn’t happen again.
One week before Friday’s NCAA championship competition, Drouin set the national record for his home country Canada of 7 feet and 8.91 inches (2.36m) on the same high jump made at the Prefontaine Classic coming in third behind Kynard placing second. The two have been fiercely competing against one another for both of their collegiate careers. Both jumpers made it to the 2012 Olympics last year which Kynard claimed the victory between the two receiving a silver medal while Drouin received bronze.
“It’s not a friendly rivalry so-to-speak, we are true rivals in all sense of the word,” Kynard said.
Drouin and Kynard were the only jumpers left in the competition and tied for first at the height of 7 feet and 7 inches (2.31m). Kynard cleared the height on his first attempt putting the pressure on Drouin to do the same but was unsuccessful. Drouin strategically decided to save his energy and pass on the height knowing he would have to at least make the following height of 7 feet and 8 inches(2.43m) to win.
“It’s only the second time I think I’ve ever done that, It’s the first time it’s worked,” Drouin said in regards to passing 7 feet and 8 inches after not clearing it on his first attempt. “So it definitely became a tactical competition, but I’m glad it worked out in the end.”
With both grandstands filled with track fans clapping him on, slowly increasing their pace, Drouin soared over the bar on his second attempt, which would end the two year outdoor losing streak with Kynard after the defending champion failed to clear the height.
“It’s just the name of the game, we were playing chess and he took my king,” Kynard said. “He had to make it to win it and he did.”
Already declared the NCAA champion, Drouin decided to attempt the national collegiate record of 7 feet and 10 inches (2.39m). Even with the Historic Hayward Field crowd once again behind him, Drouin was unable to get the record.
“It was a little disappointing but it was hard to be disappointed with a NCAA title,” Drouin said. “I’m definitely happy.”