Texas Tech University Athletics
Saturday, June 8
Austin, Texas
Texas Tech Athletics
at
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Willis Completes High Jump Sweep on Final Day in Austin
June 08, 2019 | Track and Field
Senior Zarriea Willis concludes career with outdoor title to go with indoor championship.
AUSTIN – The Texas Tech track and field program's unforgettable weekend concluded with yet another remarkable feat, as Zarriea Willis completed her 2019 sweep of the NCAA indoor and outdoor national titles in the high jump.
The Phoenix, Ariz., native was clean on all of her jumps leading up to the eventual title bar of 6'-2.75" (1.90m). It was this bar that left Willis and North Carolina junior Nicole Greene without a clearance after three attempts. Sudden death was declared, and, when neither could clear 1.90m on a fourth try, it was lowered to 6'-2" (1.88m). Willis kept Tech undefeated this season in jump-offs by clearing for the national title. The championship – the first outdoor high jump title for a woman in program history – came just three months after marking the same accomplishment for the indoor event.
"The NCAA meet is a meet that tends to bring the best out of everyone," said Associate Head Coach James Thomas. "It doesn't matter your PR or what you did to get here – it's about what you do in the moment. Her staying clean all the way through to the championship bar is what gave her the opportunity to be a national champion."
One look at the record books confirms Willis' standing as the greatest female high jumper in school history. The senior will round out her career with seven of the top-10 program heights, including Saturday's 1.88m leap which counts as the new school record.
"There's been nobody that I've ever coached that has shown the level of growth she has," said Thomas. "In her four years here, she's gone from a competitor to All-Big 12 to All-American to national champion. She's always been growing because she's always been battling to get better. When she's on and she's competing, she's a monster out there."
Seasons Usual competed in the discus at a national meet for the first time in her career. Sitting in 10thafter her second throw, she let go of a toss of 184'-2" (56.14m) to bump her all the way into sixth. Ensuing marks from competitors pushed her down to eighth, but it was enough to secure a spot in the final.
The chance to compete in the final of a national meet was valuable experience for the sophomore.
"It would have been great for her to score," said assistant coach Cliff Felkins. "But, she made the NCAA meet, and it was great experience for her. There were some 200-footers competing here, and she got in there and did what she could do. I'm pleased with her."
The Phoenix, Ariz., native was clean on all of her jumps leading up to the eventual title bar of 6'-2.75" (1.90m). It was this bar that left Willis and North Carolina junior Nicole Greene without a clearance after three attempts. Sudden death was declared, and, when neither could clear 1.90m on a fourth try, it was lowered to 6'-2" (1.88m). Willis kept Tech undefeated this season in jump-offs by clearing for the national title. The championship – the first outdoor high jump title for a woman in program history – came just three months after marking the same accomplishment for the indoor event.
"The NCAA meet is a meet that tends to bring the best out of everyone," said Associate Head Coach James Thomas. "It doesn't matter your PR or what you did to get here – it's about what you do in the moment. Her staying clean all the way through to the championship bar is what gave her the opportunity to be a national champion."
One look at the record books confirms Willis' standing as the greatest female high jumper in school history. The senior will round out her career with seven of the top-10 program heights, including Saturday's 1.88m leap which counts as the new school record.
"There's been nobody that I've ever coached that has shown the level of growth she has," said Thomas. "In her four years here, she's gone from a competitor to All-Big 12 to All-American to national champion. She's always been growing because she's always been battling to get better. When she's on and she's competing, she's a monster out there."
Indoor/Outdoor #NCAATF sweep complete!! Congrats @zarriealovepink!! Incredible 4 year career. So proud of the way you've always stepped up to help this program!! #WreckEm ???????? pic.twitter.com/F9Z3Y96hgh
— James Thomas (@CoachThomasJr) June 9, 2019
Seasons Usual competed in the discus at a national meet for the first time in her career. Sitting in 10thafter her second throw, she let go of a toss of 184'-2" (56.14m) to bump her all the way into sixth. Ensuing marks from competitors pushed her down to eighth, but it was enough to secure a spot in the final.
The chance to compete in the final of a national meet was valuable experience for the sophomore.
"It would have been great for her to score," said assistant coach Cliff Felkins. "But, she made the NCAA meet, and it was great experience for her. There were some 200-footers competing here, and she got in there and did what she could do. I'm pleased with her."
WOMEN'S DT | Usual takes ninth!
— Texas Tech Track & Field (@TexasTechTF) June 9, 2019
What a nationals debut for Seasons, who turns in the second-best throw of her career at 184'-2" (56.14m) to make the finals and place ninth!
??#WreckEm | #ncaaTF?? pic.twitter.com/7dMnEraj46
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field2026 Texas Relays Recap
Wednesday, April 08
Wes Kittley Media Session
Wednesday, April 08
Alyssa Colbert Media Availability
Wednesday, March 25
Wes Kittley Media Availability - Masked Rider Open
Wednesday, March 25