RENO, Nev. – The Fresno Pacific track and field program sent six student-athletes to the annual Pole Vault Summit to open the 2018 season.
 
Norman Napolitano led the Sunbirds on the men's side, as the junior went 14'8. His mark moves him to eighth all-time at FPU. Returner Andrew Morin cleared 14'7, while freshman Chris Orange debuted at 13'8 for FPU.
 
On the women's side, junior Allie Austin and freshman Nikki Crouch went 10'8 to lead the Sunbirds. Austin is the current school record holder, while Crouch moves to second in the record books. Freshman Kristi Yorke also went 8'10, which is eighth all-time in school history, to round out the impressive showings from the 'Birds.
 
"This weekend was a great step towards developing our pole vault collective," said assistant coach A.J. Blackburn. "We had some great marks to begin the season, and it's clear the technical program we've been working on for each individual is transferring to the pole vault runway. I expect our athletes will have a significant impact on the FPU top ten list this season."
 
Blackburn, who joined the Sunbirds as an assistant last year, was also a clinician at the two-day Summit. FPU also had representation from an all-time great, as the current school record holder Steve Hardison (since '75) competed at the meet in the master's division.
 
At the Summit on Friday night, Mondo Duplantis jumped 19'1 which is the world leading mark this season.
 
FPU will compete next at the UW Invitational from Jan. 26-27 in Seattle.