Charismatic Leapers Coming To Millrose

The women’s high jump in the 106th Millrose Games will be truly memorable as America's premier leapers Chaunte Lowe and Brigetta Barrett announced today they will compete February 16 at The Armory.

Lowe and Barrett — two of only three American women who have ever cleared 6-8 — are joined by only 1988 Olympic gold medal winner Louise Ritter, who has held the Millrose record at 6-5 1/2 since 1989.

"Here are two of the most dynamic and entertaining athletes in all of track and field," said Millrose Games Meet Director Ray Flynn. "Their appeal to the fans is amazing."

Barrett is coming off a silver medal performance during the 2012 Olympics with a career-best 6-8 jump before 80,000 fans at London's Olympic Stadium. A senior at the University of Arizona, Barrett — who comes from New York's north suburbs (Wappingers Falls) — is the reigning NCAA indoor and outdoor champion.

"I'm very excited to come back home and compete where it all started for me in the world of track and field," Barrett said. "The Armory has always been one of my favorite places to jump. The energy is always great."

Barrett has another claim to fame, singing the national anthem prior to this year's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between Oregon-Kansas State and before last September 11 Major League Baseball's contest between Los Angeles-Arizona in Phoenix.

Lowe, 29, owns both the American indoor and outdoor records. During last year's USA Indoor Championship she recorded a national-best 2.02-meter clearance (6-7 1/2). In 2010 she established the national outdoor mark with a 2.05-meter leap (6-8 3/4) in Des Moines, Iowa.

She won the 2012 World Indoor Championships in Istanbul.

"I love to compete in the United States where I've had my best Indoor results," said Lowe, a two-time Olympian and Georgia Tech graduate. "Millrose and New York are special and both have a lot of tradition. Winning there would be one of the highlights in my career.

"This will be my only indoor competition in 2013."

St. John's graduate Priscilla Frederick, a second-team All-American during the 2010-11 season, will be in the field and is an Armory favorite.

To stay atop all the Millrose Games' news, please visit Millrose-Games.org. Here are the announcements to date:

• Millrose Coming to ESPN in 2013
• Symmonds, Solomon To Reunite
• Lagat To Chase Records At Millrose Again
• Jager, Ritz Join Lagat, Levins & Lalang In Two-Mile
• Richardson Hurdles Into Millrose Games
• DeLoach To Face Reese In Millrose Long Jump
• London Gold Medalists Suhr, Reese Commit
• High School Mile Qualifying
• Millrose Trials Information Released