Men's Track & Field | 5/27/2016 7:54:00 PM

Bradenton, Fla.----Wingate University freshman Isaiah Kyle (Morristown, Tenn.) earned first team All-American honors for the second time in his career Friday evening, finishing sixth in the high jump at the 2016 NCAA Division II outdoor championships. In addition, freshman Vanisha Wilshire (Louisburg, N.C.) finished 19th in the triple jump for the Bulldogs.

Kyle cleared his first jump of two meters in one attempt, while clearing 2.05 meters on his second attempt. The freshman would go on to clear 2.09 meters in his first try to move on to 2.13 meters. Mikel Smith of Saint Martin's won the event, clearing 2.16 meters in one attempt.

"Isaiah had another very solid day jumping," head coach Travis LeFlore says. "Dealing with an injury is very tough, especially for a freshman, but he showed mental toughness and competed at a high level to bring home some hardware. I'm very proud of him accomplishing this goal this season. He has some big days ahead of him in the future!"

Kyle caps an impressive freshman season for the Bulldogs. He earned first team All-American honors at the indoor championships, clearing 2.11 meters to take third place at the national meet in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year, Kyle was an All-Region selection in both the indoor and outdoor season. He won the South Atlantic Conference outdoor high jump with a mark of 2.11 meters. His best leap this year was a 2.15 jump at the Charlotte 49er Classic.

Wilshire registered a triple jump of 12.07 meters in her first attempt, but was unable to improve in her final two jumps. Amber Cook of Lewis won the national title with a triple jump of 12.89 meters, edging West Texas A&M's Rellie Kaputin. Wilshire will be back in action Saturday, competing in the high jump at 6 p.m.

"Vanisha had a very solid day in the women's triple jump," LeFlore says. "She showed she is definitely one of the best jumpers in the country as a freshman and we are excited for her future."

Wilshire became the first Wingate track and field student-athlete to earn South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year laurels. She won the SAC women's high jump, while taking second and third, respectively, in the SAC women's long jump and women's triple jump. During indoor season, she was All-Southeast Region in the high jump and the triple jump.  

Wingate is back in action Saturday at the national championships. Senior Olisa Obiefuna (Saugus, Mass.) competes in the triple jump at 4:45 p.m. Wilshire is in action in the high jump at 6 p.m.