Ludwig is NCAA runner-up in pole vault

Matt Ludwig still has one year remaining to compete at the University of Akron, but the pole vaulter already has an impressive resume.

On June 6 at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the Lake Catholic graduate added to it. He was the runner-up in the pole vault, as South Dakota’s Chris Nilsen was the national champion.

Last season as a sophomore, Ludwig was the national champ in the event, and came close to repeating as a junior.

“I am definitely grateful to be where I am, and to have finished second,” Ludwig told The News-Herald in a text message. “I set the precedent last year that I can win championships, so anything other than that is obviously a bit disappointing but it serves as a good motivator for the future.”

It’s the fourth time in his college career Ludwig has earned first-team All-America honors.

“Matt (Ludwig) hung tough in the vault, dueling it out with the winner for a few bars and even leading for a few bars,” Akron coach Dennis Mitchell said on GoZips.com. “Matt was right there, but ended his night in second.”

Ludwig began the competition by clearing 16 feet, 10.75 inches, then completed a vault at 17-4.50. He then cleared 17-10.50, and moved on with 10 other

vaulters.

When he vaulted 18-2.50, Ludwig led the field. He and three others remained in the competition with the bar raised to 18-4.50.

Nilsen cleared that height, but Ludwig suffered his first miss of the competition. He then opted to pass on his final two attempts at that height. Instead, Ludwig focused on clearing 18-6.50.

Virginia Tech’s Torben Laidig and Texas A&M’s Jacob Wooten missed on their attempts at 18-4.50, and that left Ludwig and Nilsen as the final two participants.

Ludwig appeared to clear 18-6.50, but the bar fell off the standards on his follow-through. Nilsen then cleared the height, setting up one last shot for Ludwig. However, he pulled up short on that final attempt, and that gave Nilsen the national title.

“This meet marks another important benchmark in my career,” said Ludwig, whose personal best vault is 18-8.50. “I’m readying myself for the next level, and a year from now I hope to be jumping much higher than my personal best.”

UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ATHLETICS Akron’s Matt Ludwig of Lake Catholic was the Division I runner-up in the pole vault on June 6 the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field meet.