During cardiovascular exercise, for example, systolic pressure can increase to values close to and over 200 with higher levels of effort." -uc davis sports medicine. isn't anything over 180 systolic a hypertensive crisis? how can the body manage?

The very high systolic blood pressure would have to be sustained in order to qualify as a hypertensive crisis. Normally the diastolic.BP doesn't rise much during vigorous exercise. Your transient high systolic pressure & a rapid heart rate is an appropriate response to vigorous exertion. However you must be healthy and in good shape to tolerate this level of exertion and cardiovascular response