Xavior Williams hadn't high jumped in nearly a year heading into Saturday's Panther Open at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Williams looked like he hadn't missed a beat.

Williams, a Notre Dame High School graduate and a sophomore on the UNI men's track and field team, went out and cleared 6 feet 10 3/4 inches to win the high jump competition. And he did it without practicing all week.

"I only got to a couple practices during the week and I didn't take any jumps during practice," said Williams, the Class 2A state champion in the high jump in 2016. "It's surprising that I did that well. I just remembered what (WB-ND coach Corey) Lamm told me. I just have the ability to do it, I guess."

Williams entered the competition at six feet and didn't miss a single attempt until the bar reached 6-8. He missed that once, then proceeded to clear 6-10 3/4, a mark that leads the Missouri Valley Conference.

"It felt good. I love jumping," Williams said. "Hopefully I can improve on it later."

Williams said he most likely will compete only in the bigger meets this season. He is coming off a football season in which he earned Freshman All-America honors as a defensive back.

"Hopefully I can win conference and keep on going," Williams said.

Williams had a reunion of sorts with former WB-ND teammates Isaiah Trousil and Jacob Smith, both members of the UNI track squad.

Trousil, a three-time state champion in the 100 and 200, finished second in the 60-meter dash in 6.91 seconds. Former UNI All-American Brandon Carnes, competing unattached, won the event in 6.64.

Smith, a former state champion and Drake Relays champion in the 400 hurdles, placed second in he 200 in 22.11, just .01 behind teammate Corey Hertz.

Former Mount Pleasant standout Cole Phillips, a junior at UNI, finished second in the 60 hurdles in 8.38.

UNI freshman Logan Murray, also a former Mount Pleasant standout, won the mile run in 4 minutes, 29.76 seconds. Former Mediapolis standout Dillon Timmerman, competing unattached for UNI, was third in 4:33.15.

Former Illini West High School standout Jace Norman, a freshman at Western Illinois, finished fourth in the high jump at 6-2.

Mediapolis High School graduate Dayo Ajose, compete for the Iowa Track and Field Club, finished ninth in the 60 at 7.36. He missed qualifying for the final by .01.

Giannettino takes second in high jump

Former WB-ND state high jump champion Jeff Giannettino, a junior at Army, finished second in the high jump at the Ted Nelson Invitational om Saturday at West Point, New York.

Giannettino cleared 6-8 and had two close attempts at seven feet.

Army is scheduled to compete this Saturday at the Penn 8-Team Select in Staten Island, New York.

32 Olympians, professionals to compete at Larry Wieczorek Invitational

The University of Iowa track and field team announced Monday that 32 Olympians and professional athletes will compete at the second annual Larry Wieczorek Invitational on Jan. 19-20 inside the UI Recreation building. Admission to the event is free.

The field includes former Olympic Gold Medalists, Diamond League Champions, and NCAA Champions. Former Hawkeyes Aaron Mallett, Erik Sowinski, Troy Doris, and Kineke Alexander also return to Iowa’s state-of-the-art indoor facility. The professionals join student-athletes from the University of Iowa, Florida State, LSU, Kansas State, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Arizona.

Professional athletes scheduled to compete include Fred Kerley (400 meters), Aries Merritt (60 hurdles), C.J. Unjah (60), Jarrion Lawson (long jump, 60), Damar Forbes (long jump), Vernon Norwood (200, 4x400), Courtney Okolo (600), Jasmin Stowers (600 hurdles), Georgane Moline (400) and Tori Franklin (triple jump).