Vincennes Track and Field brings home two pole vaulting National Championships at Indoor Nationals

PITTSBURG, Ks. – Trailblazer pole vaulters Matteo Capello and Makinzi Meurer were crowned 2021 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Champions Friday, with Capello winning the men's pole vault event with a height of 5.40 meters which tied the VU school record Capello set earlier this year and broke the NJCAA Championship meet record. Meurer won the women's event at 3.24 meters.

Capello would also be named the USTFCCCA Midwest Region field athlete of the year.

"I was very happy with our showing this weekend," VU Track and Field coach Chris Gafner said. "All of the athletes came to compete. We had some of our best performances of the season. The way we were able to overcome the adversity we faced this season to perform at such a high level speaks volumes about the fantastic group of student-athletes that we have right now."

Vincennes also had a third pole vaulter, Cole Sumner, earn a podium spot, with a third-place finish with a height of 4.65 meters.

"Our vault crew was dominant this weekend," Gafner added. "The athletes all came ready to go. I was really happy to see Makinzi and Cole find such a high level of success at this meet."
"Matteo put on a show as always. He is such a focused individual. We really are spoiled to have him," Gafner added. "He is a force at our level and will be on the next level as well. I can't say enough about the job Coach Marsee has done with his group. He is the best vault coach in the business and I have been so incredibly blessed to have coached along side him for all these years."

Meagan Moreno fifth in the women's 3000 meter run with a time of 10:24.94, which is second all-time in VU history. Moreno also placed in the top-10 alongside Kyra Young in the women's 1 mile run. Moreno's time of 5:21.10 is good for fifth all-time in VU history.

Anthony Campbell placed seventh in the men's high jump, reaching a height of 1.95 meters, as well as placing 13th in the men's long jump.

Also competing in the long jump was Kyle Stewart, who placed eighth with a distance of 6.97 meters.

 Chase Knoblett placed eighth in the men's heptathlon, scoring 4,334 points in the seven events.

Ryan Golliher had a pair of ninth place finishes in the men's shot put, finishing with a distance of 14.96 meters and in the men's weight throw along side Walter Martin. Golliher reached 15.92 meters and Martin finished 15th with 13.95 meters.

The VU women's distance medley team of Jacy Collins, Chloe Knepp, Kaitlyn Koenig and Kyra Young also placed ninth. Finishing with a time of 13:25.22, which is good for fourth all-time at VU.

"We had so many bright spots in the meet, it is difficult to highlight them all," Gafner said. "Seeing Meagan, Anthony and Chase on the podium was really satisfying because they have all come such a long way since last year. It is a testament to the work they put in."

"Kyle Stewart continued his strong freshman campaign with his top-8 finish. Ryan Golliher, Kyra Young and the DMR team were all knocking on the door for a podium spot. Hopefully we can get them there during the outdoor season."

The Trailblazer Track and Field teams will kick off their outdoor seasons by hosting the Bill Smith Open in Vincennes, Saturday, March 27. The meet is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. eastern.