UNM high jumper ready to represent Lobos in NCAA Championships

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- For the first time since 2008, the Lobos had a high jumper qualify for the NCAA Championships.

It will be Jamari Drake’s first time at the championships.

"This is really all I’ve been working for," she said. "Me and my coach, we set a plan out for the year, and he was like we have to execute, we have to make sure we don’t miss that low bar."

Drake said she’s proud to represent UNM.

"It’s been mostly distance girls that make it to these higher levels, so that was one of actually what pushed me harder knowing like it was a rare thing and that my coach, he hasn’t had many long jumpers go in a long time, and I know he’s like a great coach, so you know I wanted to like elevate that," Drake said.

Drake transferred to UNM in 2019 from Southern Miss.

After COVID-19 wiped out her first spring with the Lobos, she’s bursted onto the scene in 2021.

She broke the school’s high jump record, leaping five feet 11 and a half inches at the NCAA Regionals.

Finding a home in New Mexico has helped her reach new heights.

"Trying to find the right school is really hard for anybody," she said. "Trying to find the right fit. Find the right coach. It’s been a long journey, so for it to finally like come together it just means a lot to me."