Trailblazer pole vaulter Matteo Capello sets new NJCAA record at Midwest Classic

MARION, Ind. – Sophomore Matteo Capello set a new NJCAA record in pole vaulting with a height of 5.35 meters Saturday at the Midwest Classic hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University.

The Vincennes women's 4000 meter distance medley relay team qualified for nationals as well as the team of Jacy Collins, Chloe Knepp, Kaitlyn Koenig and Kyra Young finished sixth with a time of 13:13.28.

"I think we did fairly well as a team," VU Track and Field head coach Chris Gafner said. "We did better than we did at Indiana State, we just need a few more events under our belts."

Trenton Faulkner and Walter Tanui placed in the men's 1000 meters, with Faulkner placing seventh at 2:38.18 and Tanui finishing 10, 2:43.06.

Chase Knoblett placed sixth in the men's 60 meter hurdles. Finishing in 8.86 seconds.

The men's 4000 meter distance medley relay team of Ian Boit, Trenton Faulkner, Manamanya Opiew and Chase Knoblett placed 6 sixth at 11:06.61.

The men's field events were where the Trailblazers really shined, with Capello and Matthew Frazier placing in the pole vault. Capello placed first and Frazier finished ninth with 3.90 meters.

Anthony Campbell placed in two events. Placing fourth in the high jump (1.96 meters) and sixth in the long jump (6.79 meters).

Kyle Stewart also placed in the men's long jump, finishing third at 6.97 meters.

Walter Martin also placed in two events, finishing seventh in the weight throw (14.18 meters) and eighth in the shot put (13.70 meters).

Ryan Golliher placed fifth in the men's weight throw with a distance of 15.88 meters.

The VU women's track and field team also had a good showing at the Midwest Classic. Meagan Moreno and Kyra Young placed in the women's 1 mile run.

Moreno took second place with a time of 5:26.53. Young finished sixth at 5:34.41.

Ryann Griesemer placed eighth in the women's high jump, reaching a height of 1.50 meters.

Makinzi Meurer placed eighth in the women's pole vault at 3.12 meters.

Vincennes will next be in action Saturday Feb. 20 as VU takes part in the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) College Indoor Invite at the new Norton Sports Health and Learning Complex in Louisville.