AZUSU, Calif. – University of Texas-Arlington’s junior Alexus Henry, a former Bridge City Lady Cardinal standout, broke the school’s outdoor high jump record by more than two inches and moved into first place in the NCAA rankings this season with a big performance on Thursday.

Henry cleared 6-1 ½ (1.78 meters) during the heptathlon at the Bryan Clay Invitational. She is the first UTA female ever to clear the 6-foot mark outdoors. Earlier this season she matched the school standard of 5-11 ¼, which had stood since 1999.

The native of Bridge City, Texas, now holds the solo records in both the indoor (6-1 ¼) and outdoor high jump, as well as the indoor pentathlon mark (3,895 points).

Through the first four events, Henry is in second place in the heptathlon with 3,459 points, just 36 points out of first place. Henry’s personal best is 5,199 points, which ranks third in school history, while the Maverick record is 5,444.

The final three events (long jump, javelin and 800 meters) will be contested on Thursday. Henry scored 1,067 in the high jump, 901 in the 100m hurdles (14.56), 833 in the 200 meters (25.60) and 658 in the shot put (11.96m).

Henry is the 2014 and 2015 Orange Leader Female Athlete of the Year after starring in basketball, volleyball and track for the Lady Cardinals.