Temitope Adeshina’s bid to become the first Nigerian to be crowned NCAA Indoor champion in three years did not come to fruition after the 25 year old could only clear 1.91m to place fourth in the final of an event in which the overwhelming favourite could only settle for silver.
Adeshina was one of only two athletes tipped to battle for the gold medal in the event with Jamaica’s Lamara Distin expected to soar into the podium as champions.
Wishes refused to be horses as both Adeshina and Distin failed to follow in the predicted order. Instead, Distin, who was the only athlete to have cleared 2m among the listed for the event could only watch as Rachel Glenn of University of Arkansas cleared 2m when it mattered most to win ahead of Distin who could only clear 1.97m to place second and Elena Kulichenko third with her 1.91m clearance.
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Adeshina also cleared 1.91m but lost the bronze medal to reigning European U23 champion on countback.
While the Nigerian cleared 1.85m on second attempt, 1.88m on third attempt and 1.91m on second attempt, Kulichenko cleared 1.85 and 1.88m on first attempt and cleared 1.91m on second attempt.
In the men’s 400m, Nathaniel Ezekiel placed eighth after failing to replicate the 45.54 lifetime best he set earlier in the season that could have fetched him the bronze medal.
Instead, the Nigerian ran 46.32 while Christopher Morales Williams ran 44.67 to win ahead of Auhmad Robinson (44.91) and Judson Lincoln who ran 45.57 seconds to place third.
