University of Georgia Athletics
High Jumper Advances To Olympic Final
August 18, 2016 | Track & Field
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil --- Former Georgia All-American Levern Spencer posted a perfect five attempts in the high jump qualifying to advance to the final at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.
Spencer, a native of St. Lucia, became the first athlete from her country to make it to a track and field final after reaching 6 feet, 4 ¼ inches, which matched her season best. This marks Spencer's first Olympic final after only hitting the mark of 6-2.75 and not advancing at the 2012 Olympics and also ending her competition in the qualifying round in 2008.
Spencer was one of six jumpers to clear each height on the first try and one of 17 to make the final. The women's high jump final will arrive on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Also on Thursday, rising Bulldog junior Karl Saluri finished 23rd in the decathlon with 7,223 points following the second day of the 10-event decathlon. Maicel Uibo, who completed his eligibility for Georgia in June, was 24th after scoring 7,170.
Uibo, a native of Polva, Estonia, began the second day of action in 27th place after fouling out of the shot put on Wednesday. Uibo jumpstarted his final five events by matching his 110-meter hurdle performance from the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championships with a 14.84 for 869 points. Saluri, who started the day in 26th place, began with a 16.51 in the 110m hurdles for 676 points.
Saluri, a native of Kuimetsa, Estonia, unleashed his top effort in the discus between his first and third throws. His second throw traveled 140-11 for 725 points. Uibo flirted with a foul out in the discus as well after his sole fair throw (124-6) came on his third attempt and scored him 618 points.
Uibo added 941 points to his total in the pole vault after soaring over the bar at 16-8.75 on his third and final attempt at the height. While Saluri had to retire following his only clearance as continues to return from an injury, he cleared 14-9 for 760 points.
In the javelin, Saluri was again hindered by his injury after reaching 152-3 in the javelin for 536 points before passing on his final two throws. Uibo built up to a third throw of 198-6 for 746 points, which put him within three points of his teammate.
Saluri and Uibo ran their final event, the 1500m, in the first heat. Saluri completed his laps in 4:39.40 to score his final 684 points. Uibo wrapped up his competition with a 4:47.49 to tally 634 points.
Also wearing the colors of Estonia in Rio is Georgia head coach Petros Kyprianou, who is serving as an assistant for the squad.
Leontia Kallenou, who captured three NCAA high jump titles for the Georgia women, also competed in the qualifying round on Thursday. Kallenou cleared a season-best height of 5-10.75 on her second try before bowing out at 6-0.75. This finish gave her a tie for 32nd.
Updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams can always be found on Twitter/Instagram (UGATrack) and Snapchat (ugatrack).
Bulldog Olympic Track & Field Schedule
Women's High Jump: Levern Spencer (St. Lucia - 3rd Olympics), Saturday, Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m. (finals)
