Branney was the conference record holder in the high jump entering her junior season and will need to overcome a pair of underclassmen (Marisa Gwinner – Tiffin, Madyson Plante – Lake Erie), to reclaim her spot.
The junior is trending upward after provisionally qualifying for nationals at the Mount Union Wuske Invite, clearing 1.68m (5’6”) for a first-place finish in the event.
It was just Branney’s third event of the indoor season, but she has cleared 1.60m and 1.63m previously.
Branney’s 1.68m height is a top five clearance in conference history and she ranks among the best in Division II. A total of four high jumpers from the Great Midwest have established themselves as provisional qualifiers.