GEVENA, Ohio – For the second consecutive season,
Talitha Fagen has claimed the Women's Indoor Track and Field National Championship in the Pole Vault.
Travis Simpson, earned All-American honors in the high jump to lead the Mountaineers on day two of the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships.
Claiming the first national championship for the Mountaineers was Fagen. Fagen entered the pole vault as the fourth seed and cleared 3.88 meters (12-8 ¾) to win her second straight national championship. By clearing 3.88 meters, she broke her own school record, which was set last season as she won the national championship.
"What a performance by Tali," said Coach
Ben Welch. "To not only come back as a defending national champion and win again, but to do it coming off a hamstring injury is extremely impressive, especially as breaking her own school record to get the win."
Coming in seeded fifth,
Travis Simpson finished third in the high jump for the second straight year. Simpson, cleared 2.10 meters (6-10 ¾), which was one centimeter off his personal best. With the third place finish, Simpson earned All-American Honors. He was the first Mountaineer of the day to earn All-American honors.
"Excellent performance for Travis to come back here and back up his third place finish from last year," stated Coach Welch. "He jumped very well, clearing every height except 2.07 on his first attempt."
Hans Roelle, the defending National Champion in the 1,000 meter run, came in as the top seed in the event this season. Roelle sat in the middle of the pack for the majority of the race and with 200 meters left he made his move. Roelle won his heat with a time of 2:25.74, his fastest time in the 1,000 meter run this season. He finished .23 hundredths of a second away from his EOU school record, which he set last year. By winning his heat, Roelle advances to the 1,000 meter finals tomorrow.
Entering with the NAIA Indoor National Championship, with the third fastest time in the 3,000 meter run, was
Isaac Updike.
Isaac Updike ran in the top three of his heat for the race. On the bell (final) lap, Updike, made his move as he took the lead, and won his heat with a time of 8:34.88, which advanced him to the finals tomorrow.
Lucas Updike entered the 3,000 meter run as the 16th seed in the event. Updike ran with the pack during his 3,000 meter race and finished with a time of 8:55.07, to finish seventh in his heat, and 17th overall.
Seeded 13th in the weight throw,
Tanner Yarbrough improved on all three of his throws in his flight. On his final throw, he recorded a throw of 16.41 meters (53-10 ¼). Yarbrough finished 13th overall.
Megan Sullivan came in seeded 15th in the 400 meter run. Sullivan claimed a time of 58.38, which was just off her personal best, and finished third in her heat, 14th overall.
The Mountaineers return to action tomorrow, March 7 when
Harley McBride competes in the women's high jump.
Travis Simpson and
Hakeem Belle jump in the triple jump and
Hans Roelle (1,000) and
Isaac Updike (3,000) run in their event finals.