Brigetta Barrett celebrates after winning silver in the women’s high jump. Photo by John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
RELATED: Barrett wins silver medal, the world reacts
Brigetta Barrett, who soon will begin her senior year at the University of Arizona, is bringing back a silver medal from London.
Barrett set a personal record with a jump of 2.03 meters (6 feet, 8 inches), which put her among the final three competitors at the Olympic women’s high jump on Saturday. She missed her three attempts at 2.05 (6-8.75), but won silver based on fewer misses.
Russian Anna Chicerova cleared 2.05M to win gold.
No American had won a medal in the women’s high jump since Louise Ritter took gold in the 1988 Seoul Games.
This is likely only the beginning of Barrett’s Olympic chapter. NBC track and field analyst Dwight Stones told NBCOlympics.com that Barrett’s “potential is unlimited.”
“What I saw of her hips at 2.04m at the Olympic Trials, I looked up at Sheldon Blockburger, her coach, and I said, ‘She’s the next world record holder,’” Stones said. “I believe that to my core. If she can stay healthy and she stays in that environment, she is the next 2.10m high jumper.”
Barrett is the two-time defending NCAA indoor and outdoor champion.
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Anna Chicherova (RUS), Brigetta Barrett (USA) and Svetlana Shkolina (RUS) celebrate after winning the gold, silver and bronze respectively in the women's high jump final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium.
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Brigetta Barrett of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony.
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