Iowa high jumper Jeff Herron failed to make the U.S. Olympic team on Monday.

Herron couldn’t clear the starting height of 7-0 1/2 inches on his first three attempts, eliminating him from contention for the 2012 London team. He previously cleared that height or better on three occasions this past outdoor season.

The senior broke the school record with a jump of 7-4 1/4 inches on April 7 at the LSU Invitational. That leap met the qualifying mark for the Olympic trials.

Of the 13 competing in the high jump for a spot on the U.S. team, Herron was one of three college athletes trying to earn a ticket to London. Kansas State’s Erik Kynard, Jr. placed second in the finals, clearing the bar at 7-5 3/4 inches. Florida’s Dwight Barbiasz placed seventh, capable on Monday of clearing the bar at only the starting height of 7-0 1/2 inches.

Two more Hawkeyes are set to compete for a spot on the U.S. team. Senior Troy Doris will compete in the triple jump on Thursday, and sprinter Justin Austin will run in the 200 meters on Friday.

— by Ben Schuff