LEIGHTON LEVY, STAR Writer

Former Wolmer's Boy's athlete Christoff Bryan opened his career representing Kansas State University (KSU), with a personal-best leap in the high jump to win the event at the 2015 KSU Triangular at Ahearn Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Bryan, 18, who cleared 2.24m for fourth at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last July, cleared 2.25m to get the better of KSU teammate Natron Gipson (2.19m), and Kansas University's Jonathan Fuller (2.09m).

The three-time Carifta Games champion skipped his first two jumps at 1.89m and 1.94, respectively, before opening with 1.99m. He had his first miss at 2.19m, clearing the height on his second attempt.

The 6' 4" athlete had one more miss at 2.22m before setting his new PB on his first attempt. He later said he exceeded his own expectations.

"Well, I planned to jump 2.22m, so after 2.22m I went to 2.25m and cleared it on the first attempt, and then I had some good attempts at 2.28m."

Bryan revealed that he has bigger goals in sight. "I am going after the national junior record of 2.27m."

Saturday's performance was even more special when Bryan's struggles with injury are considered.

"I had to really tough it out today (Saturday). My knee is not feeling good, but I'll start treating it again tomorrow (Sunday)."

Last season, he returned from injury to claim gold over Jamaica College's Clayton Brown at the Boys and Girls' Championships, with a mark of 2.23m. He hopes to recover before his next meet in New Mexico in about two weeks.

"Hopefully, my knee will be okay by that time, because I was feeling a lot of pain (today)," said Bryan, who suffers from patella tendonitis.

Notwithstanding, Bryan believes he has it in him to get to new heights in the near future. "I have set a goal of becoming the first Jamaican competing for Jamaica to win an Olympic medal or World Championships," he said.

Former Edwin Allen jumper Kimberly Williamson, who also attends KSU, won the women's high jump with 1.78m. Williamson, who had three misses at 1.83m, got the better of teammates Alyx Treasure (1.73m) and Rhizlane Siba (1.73).