HIGH POINT, N.C. – UNCW men's track and field senior Donovan Lara set the program's outdoor high jump record, clearing 2.14 meters (7 1/4) to win the Dani Palooza Last Chance on Sunday to qualify for the NCAA East First Round.
Lara, the newly crowned 2025 Coastal Athletic Association High Jump Champion, broke Robbie Moss' 28-year outdoor program record of 2.13 meters (7-0) to become a three-time NCAA qualifier, tying for the 19th-best jump in the NCAA East.
"Donovan is officially a member of the seven-foot club," said head coach Jeff Klaves. "This is a huge deal because when Donovan first qualified for the NCAA first rounds in his freshman year, he built a relationship with Robbie. Robbie has always been a fan of Donovan's. After achieving the record, Donovan called him and they celebrated together."
Lara entered the meet ranked 56th in the NCAA East with a season-best mark of 2.08 meters (6-9 3/4), which he set at the CAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last Thursday. The Seahawks' senior needed to surpass 2.09 meters (6-10 1/4) to qualify for the NCAA East First Rounds.
He produced his record-setting jump on his second attempt to clear 2.14 meters. Earlier in the competition, Lara battled adversity, exceeding 2.11 meters (6-11) on his third and final attempt.
"The trust in the run and the relationship between coach Max Coleman and Donovan is definitely something special. "This jump they've been working on all season has been the most consistent stretch on Donovan's career. At this meet, they were able to work all the way through the jump and have the minor detail that helped Donovan achieve the school record. Huge congratulations to both of them."
Lara joined teammates J.T. Allen (110-meter hurdles), Miles Higgins (2025 CAA Javelin Throw Champion), Ivan Poag (2025 CAA Triple Jump Silver Medalist), Bryson Robinson (2024 and 2025 CAA Long Jump Champion) and Cameron Wright (2025 CAA 110-Meter Hurdles Champion) as the Seahawks' six NCAA qualifiers.
Lakelyn Bass, the 2025 CAA Outdoor Women's Pole Vault Champion, and Jordyn Robbins, the 2025 CAA Outdoor Women's Javelin Throw Champion, remain on the bubble to hear their names called as one of the 48 qualifiers for their respective events at the NCAA East First Round.
"The journey for each of these NCAA qualifiers is laid on the foundation of work ethic. When their moments came, they absolutely left no doubt about their intentions. We want to keep relying on our foundation and double down on the basics of all the things they've been working on to make sure they are ready to compete."
UNCW will compete at the NCAA East First Round in Jacksonville, Florida, from May 28-31.
