ALLENDALE, Mich. – Carson-Newman track and field freshman Tanner Stepp (Jefferson City, Tenn.) finished in ninth place in the high jump at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships Saturday afternoon at Grand Valley State's track and field complex.

Stepp leapt 2.10 meters (Six feet, 10.75 inches), to finish in ninth. Stepp barely missed first team All-America honors.

Had he not faulted on his first jump at 2.05 meters, Stepp would have been a first team All-American for the second time this year.  The freshman finished fifth during indoor season in the high jump. 

"To jump ninth in a strong completion, as a freshmen is good," Carson-Newman head track and field coach David Needs said. "He finished higher than he was seeded.  But to be so close to being higher - can either frustrating or a teachable moment; knowing the character of Tanner, he will learn from this experience and this will most certainly be a teachable moment."

Jerone Robinson of West Texas A&M cleared seven feet, two inches to clinch the individual gold for the event over Robert Valdez of Lake Superior State.

Stepp closes his freshman season as the USTFCCCAA  Southeast Region Indoor athlete of the year, as well as the Carson-Newman, Irwin Belk Track and PowerSox Meet record holder for the high jump.

For the latest news and notes on Carson-Newman track and field this offseason, check cneagles.com regularly and follow Carson-Newman athletics on Twitter at @cnathletics.