HAMMOND, La. –Southeastern Louisiana University track & field team member Slavko Stevic continues to make history for the Lions as he is set to become the first active SLU team member to ever take part in the Athletics World Championships, which starts later this week in Budapest, Hungary.
 
Following a 2023 season where he broke the Southeastern high jump school record in both indoor and outdoor competition, won the Southland high jump championship for both seasons, and advanced to the NCAA National Final in both indoor and outdoor, Stevic has continued to get even better to earn the spot in the World Championships.
 
Since his run to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Stevic has competed in several national and international competitions, raising his personal best which was at 2.22 meters (7'3.25") following his record-breaking performance at the Strawberry Relays.
 
Competing in the Second Division of the European Team Championships, Stevic cleared 2.24 meters (7'3.5") to take home the silver medal while raising his personal best.
 
Illness impacted his performance at the Balkan Championships, clearing 2.18 meters (7'1.5") and earning a bronze medal there.
 
However, he was back to form for the Serbian National Championship as he reset his personal best with a leap of 2.25 meters (7'4"), earning the title of Serbian National Champion in the high jump in the process.
 
However, it was not definite the mark would qualify him for the World Championships. As he enjoyed a well-earned rest, he got the word that he would, in fact, get his chance to jump in Budapest for the World Championship.
 
"At that moment everything changed," said Stevic. "I enjoyed my one week break and now I am back on the track to finish the season with the biggest meet of my career. The plan is to go there and compete at the elite level and make the Finals. And in the Finals, whatever happens, happens."
 
"This is an incredible honor that Slavko's worked hard for and we're very proud of him," said SLU head track & field coach Michael Rheams. "Outside of competing at the Olympics, this is the next big award for our sport and to see a current SLU student-athlete get a shot at it represents what we're trying to build here in Hammond and show that big things do happen at Southeastern."
 
The World Athletic Championships runs August 19^th-27^th at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest. The qualifying round of the high jump competition takes place on Sunday, August 20^th at 10:35 am Central European Summer Time, 3:35 am Sunday morning back in Hammond. Should he advance to the Finals, that takes place on Tuesday, August 22^nd at 7:55 pm CET, 12:55 pm CDT.
 
PODIUM CLUB/S CLUB   
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the track and field program are encouraged to join the Podium Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Podium Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern track and field program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Track and Field, follow @LionUpTrack on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube. channel.