Fritsch places 2nd at NCAA championships

Wednesday, June 8

Eugene, Ore.

NCAA Outdoor Championships

Photo by: GoBearkats.com

Fritsch places 2nd at NCAA championships

6/9/2022 8:30:00 AM | Track & Field

EUGENE, Ore. — Sam Houston senior Clayton Fritsch placed second in the pole vault at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday.

Fritsch turned in a jump of 18 feet, 8 ¼ inches which just missed out on winning the Bearkat program its first Division I national championship in track and field. Sondre Guttormsen of Purdue placed first with a height of 18 feet, 10 ¼ inches.

Fritsch qualified for outdoor championships at the West Preliminary Round where he tied for the best height. He had the top mark in the nation this season at 19 feet, ¼ inch entering the championships.

Fritsch capped a historic career as one of the most decorated track and field athletes in school history. He placed third at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships and he took the bronze at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

He was named the WAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year for his spectacular season last month after breaking the conference's record in the pole vault.