Lake grad Ludwig heading to nationals

University of Akron pole vaulter Matt Ludwig qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoors at the NCAA East Prelimary Round meet in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 23.

Lake Catholic graduate Matt Ludwig is again headed to the ultimate showcase in college track and field.

On May 23, the University of Akron pole vaulter qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoors at the NCAA East Preliminary Round meet in Jacksonville, Fla.

Ludwig, who won the NCAA outdoor title two seasons ago, qualified for outdoors nationals for the fourth time and third as a Zip after clearing bars at 16 feet, 3.25 inches, 16-9.25, 17-1 then and 17-5.

“First couple of bars, I was really feeling things out,” said Ludwig at GoZips.com. “The last three heights, I moved to the appropriate pole for the day, set my standards and jumped consistently and clean.”

Qualifying for outdoor nationals for the last time in his college career was not easy for Ludwig. On May 4 at the Campbell/ Wright Invitational, he suffered an injury on his last jump that nearly knocked him out of competing at the Mid-American Conference Championships. In Jacksonville, he was still was having lingering effects from the injury but pushed through it.

“I’m still fighting some things, so it’s a little uncomfortable,” said Ludwig. “Still a lot of pain jumping. But I think two more weeks will be great for it, and I think I’ll be ready for nationals.”

The NCAA D-I outdoors national meet is set for June 5-8 in Austin, Texas.

“The 4x4, we just said let’s put it all out there and try to get our best time as possible.” Mentor’s Paige Floriea

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ATHLETICS Matt Ludwig in action on May 23 in Jacksonville, Fla.