Tough Field Tests Christensen at Meeting de Madrid

Becky Christensen '09 continued her inaugural European campaign last weekend in Madrid, Spain (Harvard Athletic Communications).

High Jump Results

MADRID, Spain – A week after capturing the high jump title at the 60th Cork City Sports track meet, Becky Christensen '09, a former Harvard track and field star, competed in the high jump at the Meeting de Madrid Saturday. The competition is the second in Christensen's inaugural stretch of European events.

Christensen posted a top clearance of 1.80 meters (5'10.75"), good for ninth among a talented field of international competitors. Ruth Beitia of Spain captured the event title with a jump of 1.92 (6'3.5"), besting a strong field, a late start and 90-plus degree heat.  

"This was definitely the strongest field of jumpers I've competed with," said Christensen following Saturday's competition. "It was a necessary experience to compete with a field of such strong jumpers."

The Celina, Texas, native was a six-time Ivy-League Champion and four-time All-American in the high jump during her time at Harvard. Christensen set her personal best mark of 1.91 meters at the 2009 indoor HYP meet during her senior year in Cambridge. She has been competing at the international level since 2008, recording a second-place finish at the 2008 North America, Central American and Caribbean Under-23 Championships in Toluca, Mexico, in her first international competition.