Teko Cates Shines in High Jump for Washington Huskies
Redshirt freshman Teko Cates has made waves in the Big Ten after winning the high jump at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in New Mexico. With a leap of 7’2¼”, he not only took first place but also tied for the top spot among freshmen nationally this season. His achievement is significant—it’s the best mark by a Husky in twelve years.
Cates hails from Springdale, Washington, and graduated from Mary Walker High School. He came to the University of Washington with a personal record of 6’11” but had to sit out the entire 2025 season due to an injury. However, his recent performances show that he’s back and better than ever. Earlier this season, he impressed many by winning the long jump with a distance of 24’5¾” and setting a pole vault record of 15’8¼”.
At the Albuquerque event, Cates began his high jump at 6’6″ and progressively cleared several heights. He hit personal records at 6’11¾” and then made his first jump over seven feet at 7’1″. He finished strong with a 7’2¼” leap, tying A.J. Maricich’s 2014 mark for fourth place on the Huskies’ indoor top-10 list. His strong showing ties him for the Big Ten lead this season and places him among the best in the country.
In addition to his jumping success, Cates also participated in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking in at a season-best 8.78 seconds. He’s set to compete in his first heptathlon at the Big Ten Indoor Championships later this month in Indianapolis.
Cates’s journey highlights how talent and hard work can pave the way for success, especially after overcoming setbacks. As he continues to dominate, fans and analysts are keen to see how far he can go this season.
