ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman freshman jumper Tanner Stepp (Jefferson City, Tenn.) was named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Athlete of the Week after his performance at last weekend's Power Sox Invitational.
Stepp qualified for the Outdoor NCAA National Championships with a school record-breaking high jump in Hickory, N.C. Stepp beat the former Carson-Newman record by a half-inch with a leap that reached 2.12 meters.
Stepp's jump is currently the highest leap in Division II this season. His leap not only reset his personal and school records, but also set the track record at Lenior-Rhyne's Irwin Belk Track. His jump reset Kenneth Foster's record jump that was recorded in 1979.
Stepp also recorded a fourth-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 6.55 meters, which is ranked fourth in the SAC.
Stepp adds his SAC Outdoor Athlete of the Week award to a long list of awards he has acquired during his first season on Mossy Creek. During the indoor season, he garnered the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association Field Athlete of the Year honor and All-American honors at the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships.