GREENSBORO, N.C. – Millsaps track & field sophomore long jumper Christopher Butler made history on Thursday, becoming the first Major from the men's program to compete at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Butler's best jump of 6.68 meters (21 feet-11 inches) was good for 15th place on the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.

Butler entered the event ranked 13th overall with a season-best jump of 7.30 meters (23 feet-11.5 inches), which he covered at the Carey Last Chance Meet on May 14.

He opened the national meet on Thursday with a bound of 6.43 meters and then followed with a jump of 4.83 meters. Butler then readied for his final attempt in Prelims by clapping and getting the crowd to join in. His third jump of 6.68 meters came up just short as the top nine advanced to the Finals with distances of 6.90 meters or better.

"I'm really proud of his efforts today and this season," said Millsaps track & field head coach Andy Till. "Chris has a bright future ahead of him."

The leap of 6.68 meters was Butler's fourth-best jump in his first full collegiate season. Butler's freshman season was cut short in 2020 by the global pandemic.

Egypt Page of Brockport State won the individual title at 7.42 meters (24 feet-4.25 inches).

A total of three women have qualified for the national outdoor meet in Millsaps program history. They include Erica Cook (2011 – 100m, 200m), Aliyah Gillespie (2018 – 200m) and Payton Passantino (2018, 2019 – javelin). Butler became the first to do so on the men's side.

MILLSAPS TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
2011 – Erica Cook (Women's Outdoor 100m)*
2011 – Erica Cook (Women's Outdoor 200m)
2018 – Aliyah Gillespie (Women's Outdoor 200m)
2018 – Payton Passantino (Women's Outdoor Javelin)
2019 – Payton Passantino (Women's Outdoor Javelin)
2021 – Christopher Butler (Women's Outdoor Long Jump)
* – All-American


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