GREENSBORO, N.C. – Junior Stephen Peper of the St. Olaf College men's track and field team placed fourth in the high jump to become the program's first All-American in the event since 1993 at the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday afternoon at Irwin Belk Track Complex.

Peper cleared 2.05 meters (6' 8 ¾") inches before going out on 2.08 meters (6' 9 ¾") to finish fourth in the event. Brady Smith of Penn State Behrend also cleared 2.05 meters but placed third ahead of Peper due to having fewer failed attempts in the early heights.

Prior to Friday, St. Olaf's last All-American in the outdoor high jump was Kenneth Hoffmann in 1993. Peper is the third Ole to earn All-American honors in the event outdoors along with Hoffmann and Eric Movold in 1990.

Kyle Rollins of St. John Fisher and Tanner Slack of Mount Union both cleared 2.11 meters (6' 11") with Rollins claiming his second national title in the event.

After clearing 1.92 meters (6' 3 ½") on his first attempt, Peper needed three attempts to get over 1.97 meters (6' 5 ½") and two attempts to clear 2.02 meters (6' 7 ½") to secure All-American honors with seven competitors remaining. The junior proceeded to clear 2.05 meters on his final attempt to lock up the top-four finish before going out on the next height.

Peper's performance earned St. Olaf five points in the team standings, which puts the Oles in a tie for 21st as of 5:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday.