MU's Carmack Wins NAIA Pole Vault National Championship

Brookings, S.D. - The Marian track and field team earned their fifth NAIA National Champion in program history on Saturday afternoon, as senior Bryce Carmack won the NAIA National Championship in the pole vault. Carmack's championship joins Taylor Killings' three titles in the hurdles and Presley Martin's 800m championship in the 2017 Indoor NAIA Championships.

Carmack entered into the pole vault competition at 4.70m, clearing the height with ease on his first try. After his first successful clearance Carmack was guaranteed an All-American placing, as one of eight vaulters to clear the 4.70m mark. Carmack then skipped 4.75m to advance to the next height, and in his second attempt at 4.80m cleared the bar to advance.

Carmack became one of four vaulters left in the field, and with his attempt at 4.85m, Carmack cleared on the first try to stand as one of three remaining. The senior cleared on attempt one at 4.90m, with the field down to him and Indiana Wesleyan's Scott Rathburn. Rathburn was unsuccessful in his three attempts at the height, while Carmack had no problem passing the bar at 5.00m on attempt one.

Clearing 5.00m gave Carmack the NAIA National Championship, setting a season best effort as he redeemed for his 2021 NAIA Runner-Up at the indoor championships. Carmack did attempt 5.25m as he looked to add to his resume, but was unsuccessful in his quest for bragging rights.

With the champoinship Carmack becomes Marian's first individual champion in a field event, while marking Marian's fourth overall indoor title.

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