LEXINGTON, Ken. - FDU sophomore jumper Ethan Ruffin punched his ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships by qualifying in the Men's High Jump Event at the regional event Friday afternoon in Lexington. 

Ruffin started the meet with a clearance of the 2.06 meter bar on his first of three allotted attempts. After a long wait, Ruffin struggled to clear the 2.11 meter bar, but showed up when it mattered, clearing the bar on his final attempt, putting himself in a position to clinch a spot in nationals with one more clearance.

Ruffin cleared the 2.16 meter bar for the third and the most important time this season, putting himself inside the top 12 of the east region, which is good enough to send him through to the National Championship round, set to take place on Friday, June 12th. 

Ruffin is the first Knight to qualify for the National Championships since fellow jumper Salif Mane not only qualified, but won the National Championship in the Men's Triple Jump in 2024. 
 

WHAT'S NEXT

Ruffin will next compete in those National Championships, which take place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. on Friday June 12th.