EUGENE, Ore. - Fighting Illini women's pole-vaulter Stephanie Richartz put exclamation point on her collegiate career at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday evening. In her final meet for the Orange and Blue, Richartz finished third in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.45m (14' 7.25"), earning first-team All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the second time in her career and putting Illinois in 17th place with six team points.
After passing on the opening height of 4.05m (13' 3.5"), Richartz successfully cleared both 4.20m (13' 9.25") and 4.30m (14' 1.25") on her second attempts. Things got a little dicey for Richartz at 4.35m (14' 3.25") as it took her until her third and final attempt to clear the bar. Richartz then bounced back nicely, clearing 4.40m (14' 5.5") on her first attempt, setting a new Illinois school record and tying the Big Ten conference record. She then upped both those records and tied the previous NCAA meet record with a clearance of 4.45m (14' 7.25") before bowing out of the competition with three misses at 4.50m (14' 9").
Richartz clearance of 4.45m ties her for the 29th-best jump in the world this outdoor season. The mark is also tied for the eighth-best leap by a United States competitor during the 2015 outdoor season.
"I was really happy with my performance," Richartz stated at the conclusion of the event. "I love competing, especially on a big stage. I did what I wanted to do in terms of place. I would have really liked to jump 4.50 (meters) but I still have time."
Richartz ends her career with the Orange and Blue as the best pole-vaulter in school history, owning both the indoor and outdoor school records. She is Illinois' only pole-vaulter to earn All-America honors, garnering four first-team designations between the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
She will also go down as one of the best pole-vaulters in Big Ten history. Her five conference pole vault crowns between the indoor and outdoor championships are the most in Big Ten history and her three outdoor titles are also the most ever. She owns the Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Championships record, as well as the conference indoor and outdoor overall record.
"I never could have imagined the success I have had at Illinois and the people I have met," concluded Richartz. "I've been blessed with such an awesome opportunity."
The Fighting Illini will look to Kandie Bloch-Jones to add to the six points Richartz scored in the team race. Bloch-Jones will be competing in the high jump on Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 p.m. (PT). Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for updates on how the Orange and Blue are doing at the NCAA Championships.
Illini Results
Thursday, June 11
Pole Vault (Final)
3. Stephanie Richartz - 4.45m (14' 7.25") - 6 team points
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, June 13 (all times Pacific Standard Time)
1:30 p.m. - High Jump (Final) - Kandie Bloch-Jones
