For the first time since 2018, the University of Hawaii has a representative headed to the NCAA Track and Field championship finals.

Sophomore Lilian Turban placed among the top four high jumpers in the NCAA West Region first round in Sacramento, California, on Saturday.

Turban, of Tallinn, Estonia, cleared 1.85 meters (6 feet, 3/4 inches) to equal her career high and match Texas A&M’s Lamara Distin, Nebraska’s Jenna Rogers and Missouri’s Claudina Diaz, who also advanced to Austin, Texas, for competition beginning June 6.

The last UH track and field athlete to make the NCAA finals was Lily Lowe, also in the high jump. Lowe finished 18th in 2018 with a 5-8 in inclement weather. UH’s Amber Kaufman was the 2010 NCAA national champion with a mark of 6 feet, 1 ¼ inches.

Turban’s teammate Hallee Mohr competed in the discus on Saturday, placing 27th with a throw of 167 feet, 3 inches.

UH’s star sprinter, Alyssa Mae Antolin, finished in 28th in Thursday’s NCAA first round of the 200 meters with a time of 23.54.

Lilian Turban cleared a bar at a meet earlier in the 2023 outdoor season. (Photo courtesy of Guava Press Media via UH Athletics)

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.