BRADENTON, Fla. –  Carson-Newman junior, Tanner Stepp (Jefferson City, Tenn.) is the national runner-up in the men's high jump competition, with a jump of 2.13 meters at the 2017 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday evening. 

"What an amazing way for Tanner to finish this season." Carson-Newman track & field coach David Needs said, "He brought his best, and it showed. We are so proud of him. He did the two things we asked, clean jumps at the opening heights and great jumps at the big bars. For the fourth time in his career he stands on the podium at nationals, and for the first time he is a national runner-up."

Stepp has made it to the Outdoor Championships every year at Carson-Newman and each season he has improved his positioning within the standings. Last season, Stepp finished in fourth place with the same jump of 2.13 meters. This is the second time this season that Stepp has jumped 2.13 meters in a championship event, the first time came at the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Championships.

"Tanner has the benefit of having a great coach in his brother Tyler Stepp." Needs said, "Tyler has done an unbelievable job in helping Tanner get to this point."

The Jefferson City native cleared his first three jumps on the day with ease landing all of them on his first attempt. Stepp hit the 2.13 mark on his third attempt and missed all three attempts at 2.16 meters. Stepp narrowly missed being the school's second individual national champion. The lone individual national championship came from long jumper Larry Cooke in 1977.

Taking home the gold in the high jump event was Cervantes Jackson of Albany State with a jump of 2.16 meters. Rascellis Williams of Tarleton State finished in third place with a jump of 2.10 meters. Fellow SAC jumper Isaiah Kyle of Wingate came in seventh place.

"We are glad to take the next step as a team and look forward to seeing what next season holds for the Eagles," Needs concluded.

To follow offseason coverage of the Carson-Newman track field team, go to cneagles.com or follow on Twitter @CN_Track. 

-CN-