The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
FIFTH-ANNUAL AKRON POLE VAULT CONVENTION
Barber and Nageotte Earn Elite Akron Pole Vault Convention Titles
January 07 | Track & Field
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COMPLETE AKRON POLE VAULT CONVENTION RESULTS (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO RECAP
AKRON, Ohio - In a showcase of some of the world's best pole vaulters, it was former Akron All-American and 2016 Olympic finalist Shawn Barber and Katie Nageotte earning the men's and women's elite championships at the fifth annual Akron Pole Vault Convention on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Stile Athletics Field House.
Successfully defending his title bettering Chase Brannon with a jump-off clearance of 17-10.50 (5.45m) was Barber. Sophomore Matt Ludwig (Chardon, Ohio) established a new personal-best mark of 17-6.50 (5.35m) to place third, while senior Matt Rowland (Bellevue, Ohio) soared past 17-0.75 (5.20m) to finish sixth.
Nageotte, who maintains the No. 15 world ranking, garnered the women's elite title with a winning jump of 15-1 (4.60m), the second-best jump in the world during the 2017 indoor campaign.
Senior Becky Szabo (North Olmsted, Ohio) placed sixth with a mark of 13-1.50 (4.00m), while redshirt junior Rebecca Pietsch (Dusseldorf, Germany) was unable to clear the opening bar for Akron.
In the women's open division, Akron sophomore Eboni Hall (Pickerington, Ohio) placed fourth with a clearance of 12-6.25 (3.82m), while former Zip Claire Lucas won the competition with a mark of 13-0.25 (3.97m).
Also competing for Akron but unable to record a clearance were freshman Abby Helminiak (Toledo, Ohio) and junior Mackenzie Brown (Hilliard, Ohio).
In the men's open division, Zips' sophomore Adam Alexander (Tiffin, Ohio) finished fourth with a jump of 15-11.75 (4.87m). Sophomore Cole Wigal (Belpre, Ohio) and redshirt freshman Preston Fillman (Hanoverton, Ohio) eclipsed 15-0 (4.57m) and 13-0.25 (3.97m), respectively, to place ninth and 27th. Redshirt freshman Malik Hudson (Cleveland, Ohio) was unable to surpass the opening bar.
Akron opens the team portion of its indoor campaign traveling to Lexington, Ky., for the Kentucky Invitational next Saturday, Jan. 14.
Players Mentioned
