IRVINE, Calif. - Kailah McKenzie has been named the Big West Women's co-Freshman of the Year the conference office announced Friday afternoon.
 
McKenzie, who is the first Anteater to win the Freshman of the Year award on the women's side, shares the honor with Izzy Kneeshaw of Hawai'i.
 
Last weekend, McKenzie claimed the Big West high jump title as the only athlete in the competition to clear the bar at 1.76 meters (5-9.25). She was just shy of her personal-record 1.77m (5-9.75), which she set at the Steve Scott Invitational on April 27. Her PR ranks third in school history. The Moreno Valley, California, native has placed among the top-five in all six of her high jump competitions with three individual victories.
 
McKenzie also made her way onto the podium in the long jump at the Big West Championships. She was third overall with a personal-best 6.10 meters (20-0.5). Her mark ranks fifth among UC Irvine's all-time leaders. McKenzie won the event at the Chris Rinne Invitational while also placing among the top-four at the Ben Brown Invitational, Challenge Cup, Vince O'Boyle Classic and Steve Scott Invitational.
 
On the track, McKenzie was a Big West qualifier in the 100m hurdles where she owns a season-best 14.20.
 
McKenzie was recently named an NCAA West First Round qualifier in the high jump, making her the first 'Eater to advance to the postseason in that event since Lauren Collins in 2009. McKenzie also earned Big West Women's Field Athlete of the Week honors on April 30.