Track & Field

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    Manjula Wijesekara
    Manjula Wijesekara

    Class:
    RS Senior
    Hometown:
    Morawaka, Matara, Sri Lanka
    High School:
    Vijitha Central
    Height:
    6-1
    Event:
    High Jump
    Birthdate:
    01/30/1984

    THIS YEAR: Redshirt senior Manjula Wijesekara is coming off a strong season and has proved that he is one of the top high jumpers in the country when healthy.

    2009: Earned All-America honors by placing third in the high jump at the NCAA Championships with a jump of 7-3 3/4 (2.23m). Had his season-best clearance of 7-4 1/2 (2.25m) to win the West Regional and set a meet record. Did double duty at the Pac-10 Championships placing second in the high jump with a clearance of 7-1 (2.16m) and third in the triple jump with a PR of 51-5 3/4 (15.69m). Didn't jump until the Dual Meet on May 2 and won with a regial-qualifying height of 7-1 3/4 (2.18m), becoming the 11th Trojan in the last 12 Dual Meets to capture the high jump title.

    2008: Did not compete until the Mt. SAC Relays on April 18 and won the meet with a jump of 7-3 3/4 (2.23m), the fourth-highest jump by a collegian entering the NCAA Championships. It was his first outdoor competition for USC since the 2005 NCAA Championships. Cleared 6-6 3/4 (2.00m) at the Dual Meet to place fourth. Did not compete at the Pac-10 Championships, but placed second at the West Regional with a clearance of 7-2 1/4 (2.19m). Placed 12th at the NCAA Championships with a jump of 6-10 3/4 (2.10m).

    2007: Missed the entire season due to family illness.

    2006: Missed the season due to injury. 2005: Had an outstanding freshman season, posting a jump of 7-4 1/2 (2.25m) which ranks third on USC's all-time list...He jumped 7-1 at the Pac-10s to finish behind teammate Williams in the high jump... He also jumped 7-1 at the NCAA West Regional to finish in third place...he matched his career high (set as a junior jumper) with a jump of 7-1 1/4 (2.17m) on Sept. 4 to win the gold medal at the 16th Asian Athletic Championships held in Incheon, South Korea on Sept. 4.

    BEFORE USC: Wijesekara is the Sri Lankan national junior record holder with a best of 7-5 1/4 (2.27)...He particpated in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where he placed 10th in the qualifying rounds...Attended Vijitha Central.

    PERSONAL: Manjula was born on Jan. 30, 1984... Likes to watch television in his spare time...He is an Economics major at USC.

    CAREER BESTS: High Jump -- 7-5 1/4 (2.27m) Triple Jump -- 51-5 3/4 (15.69m)