EUGENE, Ore. – Fighting Illini women's track and field pole-vaulter Stephanie Richartz competed at the United States Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday afternoon. In her final event donning Illinois' colors, Richartz finished tied for 14th with a clearance of 4.25m (13' 11.25").

Richartz cleared 4.25m (13' 11.25"), the opening height of the competition, on her third attempt before missing on all three of her attempts at 4.40m (14' 5.25"). Jennifer Suhr, the 2012 Olympic champion, won the competition with a jump of 4.82m (15' 9.75").

The 2014-15 season was a remarkable end to the career of one of Illinois women's track & field's all-time greats. After missing the 2013-14 due to injury, Richartz came back and finished third at both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. She broke the indoor and outdoor school records, as well as both the indoor and outdoor Big Ten Conference and Championships records. Her season earned her the Dike Eddleman Female Athlete of the Year, awarded annually by the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Richartz's career statistics are equally as impressive as her 2014-15 season accomplishments. She was a three-time All-American and five-time Big Ten Champion. She is the Big Ten's first-ever three-time outdoor pole vault champion and her five combined titles between the indoor and outdoor conference meets are the most all-time.

USATF Outdoor Championships Pole Vault Results
1. Jennifer Suhr, adidas - 4.82m (15-9¾)
2. Sandi Morris, Arkansas - 4.65m (15-3)
3. Demi Payne, Stephen F Austin - 4.60m (15-1)
4. Katie Nageotte, Team Pacer - 4.55m (14-11) 
5. Kristen Hixson, Unattached - 4.50m (14-9)
6. Leslie Brost, Unattached - 4.50m (14-9)
7. Melinda Withrow, Mountain West - 4.40m (14-5¼)
7. Becky Holliday, ASICS - 4.40m (14-5¼)
7. Megan Clark, Unattached - 4.40m (14-5¼)
10. April Bennett, ASICS - 4.40m (14-5¼)
11. Kylie Hutson, NIKE - 4.40m (14-5¼)
12. Carolina Carmichael, Memphis - 4.25m (13-11¼)
13. Kaitlin Petrillose, Texas - 4.25m (13-11¼)
14. Stephanie Richartz, Illinois - 4.25m (13-11¼)
14. Melissa Gergel, Team Pacer - 4.25m (13-11¼)