NCAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field: June 12

Photo courtesy of Washington Athletics

RESULTS / JUNE 12 QUOTES

EUGENE, Ore. — Competing under a white spackel sky, Washington sophomore Hanna Mole took women's pole vaulting to new heights at the 43rd edition of the NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which opened Thursday at Hayward Field.

Hanna Mole cleared 4.79m (15-8.5) to break the outdoor collegiate record held by twin sister, Amanda Mole, who finished third (4.49m/14-8.75) in the competition. Rutgers senior Chloe Timberg (4.49m/14-8.75), the 2024 NCAA champion, was runner-up. The national championship is the second for Hanna Mole, who captured the 2024 NCAA Indoor title.

lllinois received a second-place showing from senior Abria Smith in the shot put (18.85m/61-10.25), putting the Fighting Illini in second place in the team standing with 16.5 points, 9.5 points behind Georgia and half a point ahead of Washington.

In semifinals action, the Big Ten qualified four sprinters for Saturday's 100m finals — three from USC and one from Ohio State. The Trojans also posted the fastest heat time in the 4x100 at 42.55.

Eight Big Ten female athletes will be in action tomorrow when the heptathlon begins with the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m disciplines.