KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.  – It was a remarkable competition in the women's pole vault at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships this evening as Indiana State senior Kylie Hutson outlasted Oregon junior Melissa Gergel to claim her second straight indoor championship and third straight NCAA title of her career.

“We knew that it was going to be a real dog fight,” Jeff Martin, Indiana State assistant coach, said. She got behind on a couple of misses but kept her composure and pulled it out once again. The whole focus was getting her into a rhythm and the crowd was really behind her.”

The victory by Hutson and Lauren Martin's fifth place finish in the women's triple jump gave Indiana State 14 points and a tie for 17th at the NCAA Indoor Championships, the most points and the highest finish for Indiana State since 1994 when the Sycamores finished ninth with 20 points.

Hutson set a new Indiana State record when she cleared 14'-9” (4.50 meters) on her first attempt in the final stages of the competition tonight. That ties Hutson for the third best height all-time in collegiate history and ties her with Chelsea Johnson of UCLA and Lacy Janson of Florida State for the third best performer of all time. Johnson and Janson both cleared 4.50 meters in 2006 with Johnson also clearing that height in 2004.

“It was a really cool competition,” Hutson said. “I got a little made mad at myself when I missed twice at 4.40 and I told myself that I wasn't going to go out at anything less than a personal best. The record would have been nice but there is always one more meet and I can't wait for the outdoor season.”

Gergel missed on her first two attempts at 14'-9” and then passed, pinning her hopes of upsetting Hutson at the height of 14'-11” (4.55 meters) which would establish a new collegiate record if cleared. The Sycamore senior had the best attempts at the record height but was not able to successfully clear the bar. The same was true for Gergel who finished second in the competition.

“Getting the record would have been nice but winning the championship for the second straight year was Kylie's goal,” Martin, who coaches the vaulters at Indiana State, said.

Hutson missed her first two attempts at 14'-05.25” (4.40 meters) but gathered herself and cleared the height on her third attempt. She then cleared 14'-7.25” (4.45 meters) and 14'-9” (4.50 meters) on her first attempt.

The Sycamore has earned her fourth All-American recognition with the victory (three indoor and once outdoors) which is the third most of any Indiana State track & field athlete in school history. ISU's Holli Hyche earned 10 All-American recognitions during her career as a member of the Sycamore women's team and Aubrey Herring earned seven All-American honors for the men's team.

The three National Championships is the second most of any Sycamore in school history. Hyche won seven national titles as a sprinter in the 55 meters, 100 meters, and 200 meters.

Indiana State senior Lauren Martin also had a record setting performance for Indiana State, finishing fifth in the women's triple jump competition with a jump of 43'-10.50” (13.37 meters) which set a new Indiana State record. The Sycamore senior was 15th in the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships.

“Everything just felt natural,” Martin said. “I really can't complain with the results. I have come a long way and it just gives me more motivation for the outdoor season.”

“This was a great accomplishment for Lauren as she closes out her senior indoor season with a tremendous performance at the NCAA's,” Gartland said.

Earlier today, Indiana State sophomore Major Clay finished 12th in his first men's high jump competition at the NCAA Indoors with a height of 7'-0.25” (2.14 meters).

“Major has made much progress this season and in this meet,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach, said. “All his attempts were good and if he could have cleared that last height it would have put him into the scoring. He is just a sophomore and could become one of the best high jumpers in Indiana State history. He is a great athlete to watch.”