March 10, 2007
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - San Diego State freshman Stephanie Bagan finished in 14th place in the pole vault at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship in Fayetteville, Ark., at the Randal Tyson Track Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas.
Bagan, the lone Aztec at the national meet, cleared 13 feet, 1.50 inches to finish ahead of three other vaulters in a field of 17 competitors. One of three freshman competing, the Granite Bay, Calif., native found herself second among classmates at the end of the day. Indiana's Vera Neuenswander finished in 12th, while Kylie Hutson of Indiana State came in 15th, with both clearing the same height as Bagan.
Elouise Rudy of Montana State won the pole vault title with an effort of 14-1.25.
Bagan qualified for the national event after finishing first at the Mountain West Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships with an NCAA provisional qualifying vault of 13-5.25. Her performance was a lifetime best, third best in school history and at the time was the 11th-best mark in the nation among collegiate athletes.
Bagan and the rest of the Aztecs will return to Montezuma Mesa next week as they will play host to the Aztec Invitational at SDSU Sports Deck set for March 16-17.
NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships
Fayetteville, Ark.
Pole Vault
1. Elouise Rudy (Montana State), 14-1.25
2. Natalie Moser (Florida), 14-1.25
3. Kate Sultanova (Kansas), 14-1.25
4. Ingrid Kantola (UCLA), 13-9.25
5. Melinda Owen (Idaho), 13-9.25
6. Stephanie Irwin (Arkansas), 13-5.25
7. Mallory Peck (Purdue), 13-5.25
7. Brysun Stately (Nebraska), 13-5.25
9. Jodi Unger (Arkansas), 13-5.25
10. Ashley Laughlin (Texas), 13-5.25
11. April Kubishta (Arizona State), 13-1.50
12. Vera Neuenswander (Indiana), 13-1.50
13. Emily Enders (Oregon), 13-1.50
14. Stephanie Bagan (San Diego State), 13-1.50
15. Kylie Hutson (Indiana State), 13-1.50
15. Lindsey Walesheck (Texas Tech), 13-1.50
17. Sarah Landau (Miami-Ohio), 12-7.50