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EUGENE, Ore. – University of Akron sophomore Annika Roloff became the fifth individual national champion in school history – and the second member of the Zips track and field program to do so this year – by winning the women's pole vault at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field Friday.

Fighting off elimination twice, Roloff cleared 13-11.25 (4.25m) and 14-03.25 (4.35m) on her third attempt before taking control of the competition by going over the bar on her first try at 14-05.25 (4.40m) with just three other competitors still alive.

The clearance set up a heads-up dual with Indiana senior and local product (Green High School) Kelsie Ahbe with the national title on the line. After both missed all three tries at what would have been an NCAA record jump of 14-07.25 (4.45m), Roloff was declared the winner with the fewest misses at lower heights.

Roloff's championship performance further solidifies Akron's reputation as being the premiere pole vault school in the nation as Shawn Barber captured the 2014 NCAA Indoor pole vault title as a member of the Zips men's team last March. UA nearly pulled off the sweep across the genders in Eugene this week as Barber earned a runner-up finish in the men's competition Wednesday night.

In all, Roloff is the fourth member of the Zips track and field program to win a national title all-time; joining Barber, Stevi Large (2009, women's hammer throw) and Christi Smith (2000, women's heptathlon). Rifle's Jenna Compton was the NCAA Air Rifle Champion in 2009.

After passing on the first two heights, Roloff entered the competition at 13-07.25 (4.15m) and cleared her first two bars without a miss. With her title hopes on the line, she cleared the next bar on her third attempt before going over 14-01.25 (4.30m) on her first try. A third attempt was needed once again when the bar moved up and – with four competitors still in the hunt – Roloff and Ahbe were the only two to make 14-05.25 (4.40m).

Roloff, a native of Holzminden, Germany, swept the indoor and outdoor pole vault titles in the Mid-American Conference and placed third at the NCAA Indoor Championships during her first season at UA. She owns school records for both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

With the win, Roloff earned All-America First Team honors to push the Zips total to five for the championships week, which represents a program high.

In all, Roloff was one of three Zips competing in the women's pole vault Friday. Teammates Claire Lucas placed 18th with a top height of 13-03.50 (4.05m) and Caroline Hasse did not clear a bar.

RESULTS – NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
June 13, 2014 | University of Oregon  |  Hayward Field  |  Eugene, Ore.

WOMEN'S RESULTS
Pole Vault: 1. Annika Roloff, 14-05.25; 18. Claire Lucas, 13-03.50.