From Washington University Athletics
Senior Anna Etherington cleared the fourth-highest mark in NCAA Division III history to win the women's pole vault and highlight several strong performances by the Washington University in St Louis men's and women's track & field teams at the North Central College Gregory Final Qualifier Friday.
Etherington broke her own school record in the women's pole vault with a clearance of 4.06 meters on her second attempt. She then cleared 4.11m on her second attempt to win the event with the fourth-best mark in NCAA Division III history. Both of Etherington's record-breaking marks Friday were higher than any other vault in NCAA Division III this season heading into next week's NCAA Outdoor Championships. Junior Claire Simons tied for fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.53m.
Sophomore Alex Bastian ran a career-best time in the men's 800, finishing second with a time of 1:52.75. The time was nearly a half-second better than Bastian's previous best, and ranks third in Washington University history. Sophomore Britt Henderson just missed a career-best, placing eighth with a time of 1:54.30.
Junior Melissa Gilkey also added a runner-up finish at the meet, recording a toss of 44.00m to take second in the women's javelin. Freshman Daisy Ogede placed fifth in the 200 (25.59) and 10th in the 100 (13.08) at the meet, while sophomore Ellen Toennies took ninth in the 1,500 in 4:44.84.
Junior Troy Makous finished in a tie for second in the men's pole vault with a clearance of 4.67m. Makous also teamed with juniors James Hallwood and Nick Alaniva, and senior Alan Komorowski to finish fourth in the 400 relay in a time of 42.22. Hallwood (21.99) and Komorowski (22.10) also raced to fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 200. Sophomore James Fitzhugh placed sixth in the 400 in 49.42, while junior Brendan Stone was ninth in the 400 hurdles (56.53) and sophomore Josh Clark was 12th in the 1,500 (3:59.72).