Ohio Wesleyan University junior Peyton Howell (Canton/GlenOak) will finally make her first appearance in the NCAA Division III indoor track & field championship meet when she competes in the high jump on Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C.

This is the third consecutive year in which Howell has qualified -- or would have qualified -- for the national championship meet, but through no fault of her own, it will be the first time she will actually compete.

In 2020, she was a late add to the NCAA Division III championship field -- so late, in fact, that the Ohio Wesleyan contingent was already on its way to Winston-Salem and had to turn back to get her.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the national championship meet was canceled on the afternoon before it was scheduled to start.  And since she was not on the original list of competitors released by the NCAA, she did not receive All-America recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Last year, Howell had Division III's best performance in the high jump, clearing 5-8½ -- 1½ inches better than the nation's second-best effort -- but again, the indoor national championship meet was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Howell is ready to finally compete head-to-head against the nation's best.  She is tied for third in NCAA Division III with a mark of 5-7¼.

"I'm grateful and very appreciative of the opportunity," Howell said.

The cancellation of the 2020 championship meet was the harder of the two for Howell.  "It was heartbreaking.  We had a whole day of practice when we got there (before the meet was canceled)," she said, "but fortunately we had a couple of upperclassmen who I really looked up to (there) to comfort me.  (Last year), I earned the spot and was jumping really well, but the meet was canceled.
 
"It makes this year a lot more special and a lot more real that this opportunity is really happening.  I'm feeling a touch of pressure, but that's to be expected for a national meet.  Just being able to compete is going to give me the drive to do what I need to do."
 
 "I think the expression 'persistence pays' aptly describes Peyton," said Ohio Wesleyan head coach Kris Boey.  "She has literally been there and the meet has been canceled, and has been in the No. 1 spot and the meet has been canceled.
 
"It's a great feeling.  She gets to experience the rewards of her hard work and, equally important, the rewards of being persistent among disappointments.  She's in a good place to enjoy the experience of competition at the highest level."

The women's high jump is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.