Kynard reaches finals at world

Toledoan jumps 7-5 in qualifying

8/14/2013
BLADE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

MOSCOW — Toledoan Erik Kynard cleared 2.26 meters (7 feet, 5 inches) on his first attempt in the men’s high jump qualifying round Tuesday at the 14th IAAF World Championships.

The 2013 U.S. champion secured one of the 12 spots in the finals, scheduled to take place Thursday.

Kynard, who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, is competing in the world championships for the first time as a professional athlete. He competed as an amateur in 2011 in South Korea but didn’t make it out of the qualifying round.

The former Kansas State standout finished his collegiate eligibility in the spring and signed a four-year endorsement deal with Nike earlier this summer.

The Rogers graduate and two-time Ohio champion is the only American to advance. He’s one of four jumpers to reach the finals by clearing 2.26 meters, while the other eight cleared 2.29 meters. He failed on three attempts to clear 2.29 meter