Commonwealth Games: Sarah Cowley soars into final

FLYING: Rotorua's Sarah Cowley has progressed to the final of the women's high jump at the Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

After a few anxious moments in clearing 1.81m, Rotorua's Sarah Cowley soared over 1.85m and into the high jump final at the Commonwealth Games.

Needing to clear 1.88m, or end up one of the 12 best out of two qualifying groups, Cowley was one of 10 who hit the 1.85m mark and qualified overnight on Wednesday (NZT).

"It's just great to be in the final, the job that's the last tick and now it's just like game on and anything can happen," Cowley said. "Just rest up now and go higher."

Cowley, who has a personal best of 1.91m and a season best of 1.89m, struck some trouble at 1.81m.

She needed her third attempt to continue on.

"My jumps were really good when I jumped well and those first two at 1.81m were just a little bit adjusting to the feel of my run up," she said.

"It was such a relief clearing 1.85m and it was good to get it out at the first attempt and those kind of things just strengthen my mental game."

Cowley said it was her first time in the Hampden Park stadium.

"I wanted to come and feel it and it feels great, I loved it," she added.

The final will start at 5.05am on Saturday morning (NZT).