Former Husker Cernjul Qualifies for Olympics

Former Nebraska track and field student-athlete Marusa Cernjul qualified for the Olympics in the high jump on Saturday at the Slovenia National Championships in Celje.

Cernjul will represent her home country of Slovenia at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August. 

Cernjul, who graduated from Nebraska in 2015, achieved a personal-best 6-4 (1.93) to meet the Olympic standard. It was her second personal best of the day, as her first came at 6-3 1/4 (1.91). 

"I am still in shock but am super excited," Cernjul said. "However, it wouldn't be as exciting if I didn't have anyone to share it with. I am so thankful to be surrounded with such great support all over the world."

Cernjul was a first-team All-American in the high jump at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships and won the Big Ten outdoor title as a freshman in 2012. Her personal best in college was 6-1 1/4 (1.86), which ranks fourth in NU outdoor history.