UNLV high jumper Kaysee Pilgrim advances to final at Olympic trials

EUGENE, Ore. — Kaysee Pilgrim had a pretty specific answer about how she would celebrate advancing to the women’s high jump final at the U.S. Track and Field Trials.

“I need to go take an ice bath,” Pilgrim said Friday.

The UNLV senior might not have arrived at Hayward Stadium with the same star power as another jumper with Las Vegas ties, but she did enough to make Sunday’s final.

Pilgrim will be one of 12 trying to make the three-person American team for the Rio Olympics, a group led by Bishop Gorman High School graduate Vashti Cunningham.

“It was fun,” Pilgrim said of her qualifying experience. “It was definitely a challenge, but I persevered. It was really intense, but successful.”

Pilgrim, a transfer from Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona, made the 1.84 meter (6-0½) standard needed to qualify on her third and final jump.

She was 11th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, also at Hayward Field.

Her season’s best jump is 1.85 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays, good for third place.

On Sunday, those qualifying for Rio will go much higher.

“I really just want to have this kind of experience,” Pilgrim said. “I think that’s the reason I won’t be nervous in the final. I’m here for the experience.

“I like watching Vashti jump. She does so many things well. I try and copy her, but it’s hard. At the same time, it’s exciting being here and seeing her jump.”

Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be a heard on “Seat and Ed” on Fox Sports 1340 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Twitter: @edgraney.