Jonny Henkins 2008 National Outdoor Pole Vault Champion

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The Monmouth College men’s track team used the strength of their pole vaulters to take the early lead after the first day of the NCAA Division III outdoor championships, and they have their third national pole vault champion in as many meets.

Indoor national champion Jonny Henkins (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee) repeated the feat outdoors, clearing 16’7-1/4, to become the first two-time national champion at Monmouth. Peter Sprecher (Canton, Ill./Canton), last year’s outdoor champion, placed sixth with a height of 15’5-1/2. Women’s vaulter, Jessica White (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) tied for third. Her height of 12’6-1/4 tied her own school record and marked the third time this season she has cleared that height. All three earned All-American status with their performances.

Jenny Babos had the highest finish among the Fighting Scots throwers on opening day. She finished ninth in the discus with a throw of 151’4, just six inches out of All-American status. Tanesha Hughes’ mark of 145’10 was less than three feet short of qualifying for the finals. Zach Wilson’s discus mark of 153’10 failed to qualify him for the men’s finals.

Friday’s schedule includes Babos and Wilson competing in the hammer throw, Megan Clennon in the high jump, Clay Staley in the steeplechase, Shannon Turczyn in the 100-meter hurdles prelims and Luke Reschke in the prelims of the 400-meter dash.

Monmouth’s men lead the team competition with 13 points, one in front of UW-Platteville. The Scots women are tied for 12th with 5-1/2 points.