Western Oregon's Udell Snags All-American Medal in Pole Vault

Former Central HS star places fifth, ties school record.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Western Oregon sophomore Zeb Udell placed fifth in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II national championships Saturday, earning All-America honors and tying the Wolves school record at the same time.

Udell cleared the bar at 16-2 3/4, tying the 1993 WOU school record held by Greg Hess.

It was a personal best for Udell by two inches.

The former Central High School state champion cleared 16 feet earlier this season, but had not been able to vault in a meet since the first weekend of May because of an injured hand.

The event at the Irwin Belk Complex in Charlotte, North Carolina was won by Bryant Wilson of Grand Valley State.

He and second-place finisher Kyle Dennis both cleared 5.25 meters, but Wilson was declared the champion based on fewer misses.

Udell, who placed ninth at the NCAA Division III national championships last spring for George Fox in the decathlon as a freshman, now has the second best vault ever in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Udell was WOU's only placer this year at nationals. Hammer thrower Anthony Marin missed by just one spot with a ninth place toss on Thursday.

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