INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Senior Destiny Johnson (New Iberia, La.) has become just the ninth woman in Clayton State track & field history to make it to the biggest stage as she has earned a trip to the 2019 NCAA Division II National Championships in the high jump.
 
After having notched a provisional height of 1.68-meters at the Don McGarey Invitational (4/27) last month, Johnson punched her ticket in her very last opportunity, that coming at the Mount Olive Last Chance (5/13). There she cleared 1.72-meters before going out at 1.75-meters, which would have equaled the program record.
 
That performance tied her for the 13^th best height in NCAA Division II this season and made her one of 23 individuals that will have the opportunity to go after a national championship and All-American honors. Johnson will compete in the high jump on Friday, May 24 at 6:05 p.m. (EST) with expected live video coverage on www.NCAA.com.
 
In her final campaign, Johnson has delivered an impressive season beyond making the national championships. She set the program record in the heptathlon, recording 3,580 points at the Peach Belt Conference Championships (4/19) and then set the league record with three PBC Field Athlete of the Week honors in a single season.
 
On top of that, she has finished in the top five all 10 times she has competed in the high jump during the outdoor season. That has included three wins and a runner-up at the PBC Championships for All-PBC Second-Team honors. She is also one of just two PBC women's track & field student-athletes to make the field along with Embry-Riddle's Kristen Metcalfe (800m, 1,500m) and the only field athlete.

While Johnson becomes the ninth member of the women's program to qualify for the national championships, she is only the third to do so in the high jump. She joins Kim Larry (2005) and Shannon Smith (2013) as the only others, both of whom earned All-American honors with Larry finishing fifth and Smith seventh.
 
The other six individuals to make an appearance for the women are Joni Guffey (Outdoor: 1,500m in 2001 and 2002), Allison Kreutzer (Indoor: 5,000m in 2007 and 2008, Outdoor: 5,000m, 10,000m in 2007, 10,000m in 2008), Angela Cobb (Outdoor: 5,000m in 2007), Jon Taylor (Indoor: Long Jump in 2008), Keisha Etienne (Outdoor: 400m Hurdles) and Jessica Matthews (Indoor: Triple Jump in 2013, 2016, Outdoor: Triple Jump in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016).

"I am proud of Destiny for making it to the NCAA Meet," said head coach Mike Mead. "She overcame adversity and self doubt to become our most consistent performer during the outdoor season. Well deserved!"
 
This year's championships will be held in Kingsville, Texas and be hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville from May 23-25. There will be live scoring for the full championships with broadcast coverage of select events on www.NCAA.com and specific live coverage of the high jump. Full coverage of Johnson's appearance will be available on www.ClaytonStateSports.com leading up to and through the national championships.
 
2019 NCAA Division II National Championships Women's High Jump Competitors (23)
Chinenye Agina, Azusa Pacific
Olga Branney, Malone
Paola Brena, Franklin Pierce
LeGae Brigrance, TAUM-Kingsville
Serena Canegan, New Mexico Highlands
Natalie Caraway, UC San Diego
Chelsea Cheek, TAMU-Commerce
Marisa Gwinner, Tiffin
Ellie Jindra, Ashland
Destiny  Johnson, Clayton State
Jade Jordan, Virginia State
Michelle Juergen, Northern Michigan
Friederike Kallenberg, Point Loma
Victoria Major, Adelphi
Daisy Osakue, Angelo State
Yshire Rhymer-Stuart, Bellarmine
Meleah Ridenour, Southwest Baptist
Dalaney Rogala, Tiffin
Skyler Ruszkowski, Missouri S&T
Skyler Saunders, Washburn
Maddie Taylor, Western Washington
Maidson Ward, Stonehill
Cayli Yarbrough, West Texas A&M