ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Brady Palen became the first-ever Shocker All-American in the indoor high jump with his clearance of 2.18m/7'1.75" Saturday at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
 
"I'm incredibly proud of Brady and happy for him," head coach Steve Rainbolt said. "People really do not realize how tough it is to go to your first NCAA meet and perform on that stage and do what he did. This was an incredible competitive effort; major props to Brady Palen."

First Team All-American Brady Palen has a nice ring to it 😎

Brady ties for 7th, clearing 2.18m/7'1.75" to become the first-ever Shocker All-American in the indoor high jump! pic.twitter.com/LzSFjRVUEF

— Wichita State T&F/XC (@GoShockersTFXC) March 11, 2023

The sophomore from Beloit, Kan. tied with three other athletes for seventh place after clearing 2.10m/6'10.75" and 2.15m/7'0.5"on first attempt and 2.18m on third attempt.

ICE IN HIS VEINS 🥶

Over 2.18m on third attempt!

10 jumpers remaining. pic.twitter.com/L2aXUaswF0

— Wichita State T&F/XC (@GoShockersTFXC) March 11, 2023

Palen's seventh-place finish is the highest NCAA Indoor Championships finish by a Shocker since Hunter Veith placed second in the heptathlon in 2018.
 
"It's pretty exciting," Palen said. "I came in tied for seventh, and I'm leaving tied for seventh. My bar wasn't super high, but I'm still proud of my first performance at NCAA Nationals."
 
American Athletic Conference rival Romaine Beckford jumped 2.24m/7'4.25" to win the high jump title for South Florida.