FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—South Dakota junior Joe Lynch clinched a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Friday afternoon in the men's high jump competition of the NCAA West Preliminary competition held at John McDonnell Field.
 
Lynch cleared a personal best height of 7-1 ½ (2.17m), an inch higher than his previous best, to secure his spot among the 12 men advancing to the championships. He had a first-attempt make at the bar to tie for seventh in the preliminary competition. His height ties for second all-time outdoors behind All-American Zack Anderson. Lynch is the first men's high jumper to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships since Anderson in 2021.

A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lynch spent his freshman season at Dakota State. He took 11th at the 2022 NAIA National Championships. Since transferring to South Dakota, he's cleared seven feet four times and is among the field of 24 headed to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Four Coyotes have advanced to the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, through three days at the preliminary meet. Lynch joins three pole vaulters that are also Eugene-bound: senior Gen Hirata, senior Eerik Haamer and senior Marshall Faurot.
 
Freshman Carsen Staehr also competed in the men's triple jump competition.
 
South Dakota's women wrap up the competition Saturday at John McDonnell Field. USD will have two relays and four individuals in action on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.