Charlotte, N.C.----Wingate University juniors Vanisha Wilshire (Louisburg, N.C.) and Isaiah Kyle (Morristown, Tenn.) are both first team All-Americans in the high jump after placing in the top five nationally at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National championships Friday afternoon. Wilshire finished as the national runner-up, while Kyle finished fifth on Friday.

Wilshire is an All-American for the fifth time in her career, after finishing third at the Indoor championships earlier this year. This marks the third time the junior has earned first team All-American accolades.

"Vanisha has been consistent over high bars all season," head coach Travis LeFlore says. "We knew if we put a few things together she would have a great day. She locked in, had a personal best and was a national runner-up. I couldn't ask for a better day for her. We're itching for the national championship now, something that's going to drive her this summer. So proud of her!"

Wilshire cleared 1.68 meters in her first attempt, but did not clear 1.72 meters until her third and final attempt. She rebounded by clearing 1.75 meters on her first attempt, then went over 1.78 meters on her second attempt.

Wilshire and Minnesota State's Khadiya Hollingsworth were the only two athletes that cleared 1.78 meters. Hollingsworth cleared 1.81 meters in her first try, but Wilshire stayed alive by clearing 1.81 meters in her second attempt. Hollingsworth was once again successful at 1.84 meters and Wilshire was unable to clear in her three attempts, finishing second in the nation.

Kyle is an All-American for the sixth time in as many tries. The junior is coming off a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships earlier this year, while finishing seventh in last year's outdoor event.

"Isaiah put together a great opening series of jumps to begin competition," LeFlore says. "Clearing the first three bars with no misses was something we talked about going into the event. He executed well and came out with another All-American honor. I'm very proud of him!"

After passing at 2.0 meters, Kyle cleared 2.05 meters easily in his first attempt. He followed by clearing 2.09 meters in his first attempt as well, making him one of only four athletes to make it to 2.12 meters without a miss. The junior narrowly missed on his first two attempts at 2.12 meters, while his third and final attempt also came up short, putting him in a tie for fifth.

Dakari Hightower of St. Augustine's won the event. He and Myles Pringle of Ashland were the only two athletes to clear 2.15 meters. Hightower then cleared 2.18 meters on his second attempt to clinch the national championship.

Wingate will participate in two events Saturday on the final day of the NCAA Championships. Nate Patterson is in the triple jump at 12:45 p.m., while the women's 4 x 100 team is in the finals at 3:35 p.m.