Athletics - Lissa Labiche college women's high jump champ |30 April 2018

Female high jumper and reigning Sportswoman of the Year Lissa Labiche clinched her first career Penn Relays championship titleon Saturday after clearing the bar at 1.82m at the University of South Carolina 124th track and fieldevent at the Franklin Field.

Labiche hit a season best 1.82m to take home the championship high jump title andjoinYannRandrianasolo (men's championship long jump) as individual winners this season at Penn Relays in the United States of America.

Labiche, who joined the University of South Carolina in the United States of America earlier this year, had her best day of the 2018 outdoor season, winning the high jump championship as the only competitor to clear 1.82mwhich she easily passed on her first attempt. The effort ranks second in South Carolina history, and it's the 10th-best mark in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) this season.

Following her jump, Labiche said she was very excited and happy and that she wanted to go higher. She said the crowd was fantastic asthey were cheering and pushing her to do better.

She added that her target is to now go over 1.90m and that she will work on her run-ups and will try to clear the highest bar at her next competition.

Labiche’s personal best and national record stands at 1.92m and she established it at the South African Open Championship in May 2015.

The US Marine Corps partnered with the Penn Relays during the three-day event as they fostered positive relationships with student athletes and the community through physical fitness challenges and sharing stories of honour, courage and commitment.

Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States. More than 15,000 athletes from high schools, colleges and track clubs, and over 100,000 spectators attend the event, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field, every year.

R. D.