Niedermeyer takes title at Pole Vault Summit
January 05, 2009 | Men's Track & Field
A career-best effort by former University of Wisconsin standout Darren Niedermeyer was enough to hold off an outstanding field and claim the men's title at the National Pole Vault Summit on Friday in Reno, Nev.
Niedermeyer, a two-time Big Ten Conference champion during his career with the Badgers, won the annual meeting of elite pole vaulters by matching his lifetime-best clearance of 18 feet, 4 1/2 inches. He led a sweep of the top five spots by U.S. athletes, including runner-up Rory Quiller, who cleared 18-0 1/2.
As a Badger, Niedermeyer claimed the Big Ten indoor pole vault championship in 2004 and then won the outdoor vault title as a senior in 2005.
He most recently competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing the preliminary round in a tie for 14th place.
