UCLA’s Acuff Ascends To Record Heights

Happy birthday to Amy Acuff!

The former UCLA star won her first NCAA Outdoor high jump title in 1995 at 1.96m (6-5). While the height remains untouched as the meet record, Acuff wasn’t satisfied, even after winning a competition by equaling the largest margin of victory yet of more than two inches.

“I was glad to be able to get certain key heights on my first attempt,” Acuff explained afterwards. “But I wasn’t thrilled with the final height.”

That’s because, a month earlier, Acuff had raised the collegiate record to 1.98m (6-6) at the Pac-10 Championships. Two years later – after showing disappointment when becoming the first woman to win four consecutive Pac-10 titles in any event – she offered more insight to Dick Rockne of the Seattle Times.

“Because I’m never satisfied,” Acuff said. “It’s easy for me to be unsatisfied with my jumps.”

The native of Port Arthur, Texas, finished her collegiate career with a combined five NCAA DI titles, the most for a high jumper until Brigetta Barrett of Arizona compiled six.

Acuff’s post-collegiate career saw her compete on five Olympic track & field teams, joining Willye White and Gail Devers as the only Americans with as many.