Bryan and Ludwig Headline Efforts at Akron Pole Vault Convention

Saturday, January 11

Akron, Ohio

University of Akron

SEVENTH ANNUAL AKRON POLE VAULT CONVENTION

Preview Finals Results (PDF)

Photo by: Brendan Maloney

Bryan and Ludwig Headline Efforts at Akron Pole Vault Convention

January 11 | Track & Field

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FINAL RESULTS | LIVE STATS | VIDEO STREAM | PREVIEW | VIDEO RECAP

AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron senior Lucy Bryan (Bristol, England) and former Zips' All-American Matt Ludwig captured titles in the elite pole vault competitions to headline the performances at the Seventh Annual Akron Pole Vault Convention on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Stile Athletics Field House.

Registering a 2020 world-leading mark of 18-4.50 (5.60m), Ludwig, a seven-time All-America award winner with the Zips from 2017-19, bested the men's field. He edged former Akron six-time All-America honoree Shawn Barber, who placed second with a mark of 17-10.50 (5.45m).

Senior Cole Wigal (Belpre, Ohio), participating as an unattached competitor, finished fourth surpassing 16-10.75 (5.15m).

Maintaining a No. 54 World Ranking, including No. 3 in her native Great Britain, Bryan, a five-time All-America honoree for the Zips, opened her final collegiate campaign registering the second-best mark, 14-1.25 (4.30m), in the NCAA this season en route to capturing the women's elite title.

Redshirt junior Abby Helminiak (Toledo, Ohio) placed second in the women's elite field with a season-opening mark of 13-5.25 (4.10m), the fifth-highest clearance in the NCAA in 2020.

In the men's 'A' flight competition, senior Tyler Fraker (Delta, Ohio) led the Zips' efforts finishing third with a clearance of 16-0 (4.88m). Following with career-best marks of 15-6.25 (4.73m) and 15-0.25 (4.58m) to finish fourth and sixth, respectively, was freshman Sebastian Martin (Santiago, Chile) and redshirt sophomore Raymond Kovalchick (Northfield, Ohio).

In the women's 'A' flight, freshman Rachael Ward (Jamestown, N.Y.) reccorded a career-best mark of 12-0.75 (3.68m) to place fifth.

Rounding out the Zips' performances on the day were freshman Robert Artrip (Independence, Ohio), redshirt freshman Bobby Casey (Mayfield Heights, Ohio), senior Malik Hudson (Cleveland, Ohio) and redshirt junior Brandon Hochbein (Sarver, Pa.). The quartet finished second, third, fourth and sixth, respectively, in the men's 'A2' flight with clearances of 15-0.25 (4.58m), 14-6.25 (4.43m), 14-6.25 (4.43m*) and 14-0.50 (4.28m).

Akron will officially commence its indoor campaign hosting Central Michigan in a dual meet at the Stile Athletics Field House on Friday, Jan. 17. Competition is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

MEN'S RESULTS:
ELITE FLIGHT (TOP-5): Matt Ludwig (USA) (1st-18-4.50/5.60m), Shawn Barber (Canada) (17-10.50/5.45m), Devin King (USA) (3rd-17-01.50/5.45m), Cole Wigal (Unattached) (4th-16-10.75/5.15m), Deryk Theodore (Canada) (5th-16-10.75/5.15m), Matt Keim (NH)

'A' FLIGHT: Tyler Fraker (3rd-16-0/4.88m), Sebastian Martin (4th-15-6.25/4.73m*), Raymond Kovalchick (6th-15-0.25/4.58m*)

'A2' FLIGHT: Robert Artrip (2nd-15-0.25/4.58m*), Bobby Casey (3rd-14-6.25/4.43m*), Malik Hudson (4th-14-6.25/4.43m*), Brandon Hochbein (6th-14-0.50/4.28m)

WOMEN'S RESULTS:
ELITE FLIGHT: Lucy Bryan (1st-14-1.25/4.30m), Abby Helminiak (2nd-13-5.25/4.10m), Erika Fiedler (Canada) (3rd-12-7.50/3.85m)

'A' FLIGHT: Rachael Ward (5th-12-0.75/3.68m*)

* denotes career-best mark