ORU's Jack Whitt Wins NCAA Pole Vault Championship

In his second appearance in an NCAA Track & Field Championship, Oral Roberts junior Jack Whitt claimed his first National Championship Friday, just the second in school history with a vault of 5.65 meters.

Whitt cleared the first two heights of the competition, then waving until 5.30 meters, missing twice then clearing 5.50 meters. He then cleared 5.60 meters, the only competitor to do so, and then cleared 5.65 meters on his second attempt.

All three competitors were unable to clear 5.70 meters, but the two other competitors were on their third miss, making Whitt the winner of the competition.

After being declared the winner, Whitt attempted 5.75 meters, which would have been his personal-best and surpass the Olympic A Standard. The Golden Eagle junior will compete at the US Olympic Trials.