BRADENTON, Fla. – Competing at the highest level for the sixth time in her career, senior Jessica Matthews (Monroe, Ga.) finished 12-of-22 in the triple jump at the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships on Friday, May 27.
 
Taking on the top competitors at the Division II level, Matthews posted a distance of 11.90-meters on her first jump before stretching that to 11.98-meters on her next outing. She would step up her performance markedly on her third jump, posting an outdoor nationals personal best distance of 12.26-meters. That distance, however, was 0.12 away from equaling the final transfer spot distance of 12.38-meters.
 
The 12^th place finish marks her second-highest at the outdoor championships, trailing only her 11^th place finish outing as a freshman in 2013. This year's distance of 12.26-meters surpasses her previous outdoor national best mark of 12.08-meters, set in both 2013 and 2014.
 
Earlier this year, she made her second trip to the indoor championships and became the first All-American in the indoor program's history. She accomplished that feat by breaking her own program record twice with distances of 12.35- and 12.40-meters.
 
Today marked Matthews sixth overall appearance at nationals, which is the most in the history of the women's track & field program and trails only the men's Eric Simmons' seven trips from 2003-08. She is also the first female student-athlete to make four straight appearances in the outdoor national championships.
 
"Jess had a good final meet of her collegiate career," said assistant track & field coach Clive Caesar. "She was a little nervous going in, but ready as usual to take care of business. I am extremely proud of her and how much she has matured as a senior. She always rose to the occasion and that says a lot about her mindset and compassion for her sport. She is definitely one of the best, if not the best, athlete I have ever coached in my 14 years of coaching. I am going to miss her to pieces when she's gone."
 
Clayton State Women's Competitors (1)
Jessica Matthews – Triple Jump (12-of-22, 12.26m)*
*Set own outdoor nationals personal best