Mullen Falls Short of 2008 Olympic Games

STORRS, Conn. (July 7, 2008) - Former University of Connecticut women's track and field standout, Deirdre Mullen, took a fourth place finish in the high jump, falling just short of qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games as she competed at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

Mullen, a 2004 Olympic Trials competitor and UConn All-American, recorded a mark of 1.91 meters (6-3.25) for the fourth place finish as Chaunte Howard took the top spot with a jump of 1.97 meters (6-05.50). The top three finishers move on to the Olympic Games as Mullen fell just short of qualifying.

"I have never seen such an electric environment as the packed stadium showed their appreciation for these athletes," said UConn head coach Bill Morgan. "With great attempts at 6-4.75, which would have been an Olympic Games qualifier, she twice worked her way through the competition with clutch jumps on third attempts. She was fantastic in every way and just made it happen out there."

Mullen also held the second-best score in the World rankings as noted back in April 2008. Her mark of 1.92 meters (6-3.5) in the high jump put her up in the rankings. With her finish of 1.92m on April 19, 2008 in Princeton, N.J., she tied Levern Spencer from Saint Lucia, who recorded the same mark in Athens, Ga. on April 12. Chaunte Howard from the USA is currently first in the standings with a mark of 1.95 meters, which she recorded in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on March 22, 2008.

The World Record in the women's high jump was set by Stefka Kostadinova from Bulgaria at 2.09 meters. Her jump was recorded on August, 30, 1987.

Mullen was a five-time All-American when she was a student-athlete for the Huskies. Her three indoor All-America awards came in 2002, 2003 and 2004 while her outdoor honors came in 2004 and 2005. She currently holds the record in the high jump for both indoor and outdoor track at the University of Connecticut as her 6' 2" (1.88m) mark in the outdoor and 6' 1 1/4" (1.86m) mark in the indoor are program bests. She was also a three-time New England Champion as well as a four-time BIG EAST and five-time ECAC title holder.

-UCONN-

Photo Credit: Catherine Mullen