Vernon Turner, a senior at Oklahoma and the reigning NCAA Division 1 men's indoor high jump champion, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss trying to become the first athlete to repeat in the event since Trey Culver of Texas Tech in 2016-17 at the March 11 final at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico. Turner is also attempting to become the first Oklahoma competitor to secure back-to-back titles in any event since Tia Brooks won the women's shot put in 2012-13, as well as the first male athlete for the Sooners to repeat since DaBryan Blanton in the 60-meter dash in 2004-05. Turner revisits winning his fourth career Big 12 Conference title Feb. 25 at the Sports Performance Center at Texas Tech with a 7-5.75 (2.28m) clearance, which took over the collegiate lead. He reflects on the challenges faced with injury and obstacles with training throughout the indoor season, but Turner remains optimistic that he will be in contention for the championship once again. Turner reflects on his 7-7.25 (2.32m) clearance to win the Division 1 indoor crown last year at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Alabama, making him one of only five competitors in NCAA history with multiple marks at that height, along with his 2018 performance of 7-7.75 (2.33m) at Randal Tyson Track Center in Arkansas. He also revisits the conclusion of a challenging spring season and the disappointment of finishing fourth at the Division 1 final, followed by sixth at the USATF Outdoor Championships in the summer, and the motivation to perform at a higher level this year. Turner examines the depth of the field competing in Albuquerque, especially the presence of Ushan Perera from Texas A&M, a four-time Division 2 high jump champion at Texas A&M-Commerce, who transferred to compete in College Station this season. He also analyzes the consistency of reigning Division 1 women's high jump champion and Jamaican athlete Lamara Distin of Texas A&M, who swept both the NCAA indoor and outdoor titles last year, along with capturing the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Turner speaks about changing his approach this year to include a walk up before his run and how meaningful the collaboration has been throughout his career with Oklahoma jumps coach Jerel Langley.