JuVaughn Harrison is seemingly headed to the Paris Olympics later this month, even if it's not exactly the way he planned it.
The former LSU track and field star finished fourth in the high jump at the U.S. Olympic trials Sunday, but will likely gain a spot on the team as one of only two Americans to have attained the Olympic standard of 7 feet, 7¾ inches.
Harrison, who was ranked No. 3 in the world in the event going into the trials, needed a top-three finish to make his second consecutive Olympic team.
But the silver medalist at the World championships last summer had trouble finding a rhythm Sunday afternoon and cleared just two bars after passing at the opening height of 7-1.
He made it on his first attempt at 7-3 and second try at 7-4¼ before missing three times at 7-5¼ and bowed out of the competition. Harrison has a lifetime best of 7-8¾.
Shelby McEwen, the only other American with the Olympic standard, went on to win with a clearance of 7-6½. Caleb Snowden was second at 7-5¼ and Tyus Wilson was third with a best of 7-4¼.
While Wilson cleared the same height as Harrison, he took third place and the final team spot on fewer misses; Wilson had three misses and Harrison four.
Since Snowden and Wilson don't have the Olympic standard and were ranked 64th and 49th, respectively, Harrison would be in line to take the spot based on his ranking even if he slips and the other two move up.
World Athletics, the sport's global governing body, will release the final pre-Olympic rankings Tuesday, but a USA Track & Field source said Harrison likely will be on the team when it's officially announced July 7.
If he's selected Harrison will join former LSU stars Sha'Carri Richardson and Vernon Norwood on the U.S. team in Paris.
Richardson won the 100 meters and will also be in the 4x100-meter relay pool. Norwood finished fourth in the open 400 meters, but will be in the 4x400 relay pool.
LSU had three other women vying for Olympic berths Sunday on the final day of the meet, but all three came up short.
Tonea Marshall came the closest. She was fifth in the 100-meter hurdles final with a time of 12.38 seconds, while Alia Armstrong, who just completed her collegiate eligibility in June, finished ninth in 12.89 seconds.
Marshall and Armstrong were in a loaded final that saw the top six finishers all clock a time of 12.39 or lower. Winner Masai Russell broke a 24-year-old trials record in making her first Olympic team with a 12.25.
Also, Cassandra Tate was eighth in the 400-meter hurdles final when she crossed the finish line in 55.37 seconds.
Former Southeastern Louisiana thrower Alex Young also was in the hammer final Sunday. Trying to make his second Olympic team in a row, he finished eighth with a best of 241-7.