Edited: March 8, 2003
ALLEGHENY POLE VAULTER JEREMY SCOTT SETS
OHIO COLLEGE RECORD AT NCAC INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
GRANVILLE, OH-- College track & field history was made here today when Jeremy Scott of Allegheny College pole-vaulted 18’2 3/4” during the North Coast Athletic Conference’s Indoor Track & Field Championships held on the Denison University campus. His vault sets a record for a collegian in the state of Ohio.
Just last weekend, Scott, a senior, vaulted 18’8” at the U.S. Track & Field Indoor Championships, March l in Boston. This personal best mark earned him a second place in the national competition and a berth on the US Team which will compete at the upcoming World Championships. Scott was the only collegiate athlete competing in the pole vault at this meet. Just 21, Scott was an average of 10 year younger than the other nine competitors.
Additionally, Scott performs for an NCAA Division III college, which unlike Division I and II universities, does not offer athletic scholarships. He is a neuroscience major with a 3.2 GPA academic average.
His vault, which reset his own conference record, is believed to be the best pole-vault ever by a collegian in the state of Ohio. The mark of 18’2 3/4 ” surpasses many prominent collegiate records current in the state collegiate record books. Ohio State University indoor record is 17’7 ” and the French Field House record, site of several Big Ten Championships, is 18 ” set by Dean Starkey of the University of Illinois in 1988, according to the Ohio State University athletic website. The Mid-American Conference mark was set this year by John Russell of the University of Akron, with an indoor leap of 17’6 ”. The MAC outdoor record is 18’ 2 ” set by Jeff Ward of Miami in 1982—that is believed to be the top collegiate mark ever set in the state of Ohio. The all-time NCAA mark was set by Jacob Davis of the University of Texas with an effort of 19’2 ” set in 1999.
Scott, a native of Norfolk, Nebraska, first broke the North Coast Athletic Conference record three years ago when the record was 15’2”. In three years, he has surpassed that record by three feet—an amazing accomplishment in the pole vault, one of the most difficult events in all of athletics.
“Today was a lot of fun,” said Scott. “It’s a more laid-back atmosphere compared to what I’m going to see at the U.S. Championships or the World Championships, so it was nice to have a meet where I can relax.” The NCAC crowd of athletes and spectators chanted and cheered Scott every attempt. After setting the new NCAC and college record, he tried three times at 18’9” but failed, once just barely. “Coming into the meet I wanted to reach 18-6 but 19’ is always a goal I set for myself. I think 18’2 3/4” is a good height but I always want to improve. I had a little bit of a letdown last week and there were some things that I worried about, considering I had just competed in the high jump event also. But I am pleased with my performance today.”
Though Scott has broken the NCAA Division III mark four times this indoor season, and he is the defending Division III champion in the pole vault, he will forgo the NCAA Division III national championship this coming weekend. Instead, he has earned the right to represent the United States at the World Championships next weekend, March 14-16, in Birmingham, England. The only track and field competition more prestigious than the World Championships is the Olympics. Scott is ranked third in the US and 10th in the world in the pole vault event, and will compete in the 2004 Olympic trials next summer in Sacramento, California.
At 6-9, Scott played two years of football at Allegheny, a liberal arts college of 2000 students.
For more information:
Craig Hicks, Sports Information Director – Phone: 740-587-6546, e-mail: hicksc@denison.edu
Ken Baker, Sports Information Director - Phone: 814-332-5952, e-mail: kbaker@allegheny.edu
