LINCOLN, NE – A little more than a week ago, senior Christian Patterson was walking off the court for his final collegiate basketball game as the Wilmington College men's basketball team lost in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Now, he is a Division III All-American in indoor track after finishing tied for seventh with a height of 2.04 meters in the high jump at the NCAA Division III National Track & Field Meet.

"I have gone through a bunch of emotions," said Patterson. "From depressed to excited to thrilled, it's been a big transition. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity in either. It's the first time my class has qualified for the NCAA's and to make the (indoor) Nationals with the last spot. Do I wish both would have ended differently, yes, but I still have a lot of jumping to do outdoor."

Patterson (Cincinnati, OH/Norwood) competed in just one indoor meet due to his basketball obligations, and didn't know he qualified for the indoor championships until Monday. At the time of his meet, Patterson's height was fourth nationally, but he continued to slide as others continued to out-jump his mark of 2.07 meters.

After passing at the height of 1.94 meters, Patterson cleared 1.99 meters on the first attempt.  He cleared his qualifying mark of 2.04 meters on the third attempt and then missed all three shots at 2.08 meters. Patterson was a missed attempt at 2.04 meters at finishing fourth in the meet.

"It's always an accomplishment to make All-American," said Wilmington head coach Ron Combs. "I thought he had a great attitude going into the competition. It wasn't his best day, but it's great that he was able to finish that high on the limited work he was able to put in. I think this will really motivate him for outdoors."

It's a premise that Patterson doesn't disagree with.

"It's not like I wasn't motivated for outdoors, but the fact that I finished seventh puts it in a bigger perspective. I definitely feel more motivated for outdoors than I did yesterday."