Ludwig and Nageotte Capture Titles at Akron Pole Vault Convention

Saturday, January 6

Akron, Ohio

University of Akron

Sixth-Annual Akron Pole Vault Convention

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Ludwig and Nageotte Capture Titles at Akron Pole Vault Convention

January 06 | Track & Field

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2017 AKRON POLE VAULT CONVENTION | SCHEDULE AND SEEDING | RESULTS | VIDEO RECAP | LIVE STATS | PHOTO GALLERY

AKRON, Ohio – In a showcase of some of the world's best pole vaulters, University of Akron junior Matt Ludwig (Chardon, Ohio) and Katie Nageotte captured the men's and women's elite titles, respectively, to highlight competition at the sixth annual Akron Pole Vault Convention on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Stile Athletics Field House.

The 2017 NCAA outdoor national champion, Ludwig, bested former Zips All-American and three-time NCAA champion Shawn Barber in a jump-off at 17-8.50 (5.40m) to triumph in the men's competition with a winning mark of 17-6.50 (5.35m). Barber came into the event having won the elite title at the Akron Pole Vault Convention in each the last three years.

In the women's field, Nageotte, ranked No. 10 in the world in 2017 and No. 2 in the United States, successfully defended her 2017 title eclipsing 14-11.50 (4.56m), a mark that is the second-best in the world in 2018 and the top jump by an American.

Placing second in the women's field was Akron sophomore Lucy Bryan (Bristol, England), a 2017 USTFCCCA (United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) First-Team All-America honoree, who surpassed 13-11.75 (4.26m) on her opening attempt at the height.

In the men's open division, junior Cole Wigal (Belpre, Ohio) finished third with a clearance of 15-11 (4.85m), followed by juniors Tyler Fraker (Delta, Ohio) (4th-15-11/4.85m) and Kamar Majid (Akron, Ohio) (6th-15-1/4.60m), redshirt sophomore Adam Alexander (Tiffin, Ohio) (8th-14-11/4.55m), sophomores Brandon Hochbein (Sarver, Pa.) (17th-14-1.25/4.30m) and Dylan Hochbein (Sarver, Pa.) (23rd-14-1.25/4.30m) and redshirt sophomores Malik Hudson (Cleveland, Ohio) (32nd-12-7.50/3.85m) and Preston Fillman (Hanoverton, Ohio) (32nd12-7.50/3.85m).

In the women's open division, redshirt freshman Abby Helminiak (Toledo, Ohio) led the Zips' efforts finishing second with a career-best jump of 13-7.25 (4.15m). Helminiak was followed in the finish by freshman Jenna Frantz (Versailles, Ohio) (3rd-13-1.50/4.00m), junior Eboni Hall (Pickerington, Ohio) (6th-12-7.50/3.85m), senior Rebecca Pietsch (Dusseldorf, Germany) (7th-12-7.50/3.85m) and sophomore Claire Toole (Lakewood, Ohio) (19th-10-8/3.25m).

Competition concludes at the Akron Pole Vault Convention on Sunday, Jan. 7, with action getting underway on the track starting at 3 p.m.

MEN'S ELITE RESULTS:
Matt Ludwig (1st-17-6.50/5.35m), Shawn Barber (2nd-17-6.50/5.35m), Chase Brannon (3rd-17-6.50/5.35m), Chris Pillow (4th-17-6.50/5.35m), Luke Winder (5th-17-6.50/5.35m), Zach Ferrara (6th-16-6.75/5.05m), Josh Dangel (NH), Nick Homan (NH)

WOMEN'S ELITE RESULTS:
Katie Nageotte (1st-14-11.50/4.56m), Lucy Bryan (2nd-13-11.75/4.26m), Kristen Hixson (3rd-13-11.75/4.26m), Rachael Wolfs (4th-13-5.75/4.11m), Erika Fiedler (5th-13-5.75/4.11m), Becky Szabo (6th-12-10/3.91m)

MEN'S RESULTS:
Cole Wigal (3rd-15-11/4.85m), Tyler Fraker (4th-15-11/4.85m), Kamar Majid (6th-15-1/4.60m), Adam Alexander (8th-14-11/4.55m), Brandon Hochbein (17th-14-1.25/4.30m), Dylan Hochbein (23rd-14-1.25/4.30m), Malik Hudson (32nd-12-7.50/3.85m), Preston Fillman (32nd12-7.50/3.85m)

WOMEN'S RESULTS:
Abby Helminiak (2nd-13-7.25/4.15m), Jenna Frantz (3rd-13-1.50/4.00m), Eboni Hall (6th-12-7.50/3.85m), Rebecca Pietsch (7th-12-7.50/3.85m), Claire Toole (19th-10-8/3.25m)