BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UW-Stout's
Leah Zastrow captured the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championship in the women's pole vault Friday, clearing a school-record 4.15 meters (13' 7¼") on the opening day of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Zastrow, who finished as the national runner-up in 2025, cleared the winning height of 4.15 meters on her first attempt to secure the national title. The mark sets a new UW-Stout school record and gives the Blue Devils their first NCAA individual champion since 2022, when Kevin Ruechel won the men's shot put national title.
Teammate
Raegan Sorensen also reached the podium, tying for third place with a personal-best clearance of 4.00 meters (13' 1½") to earn All-America honors.
Zastrow continues a strong family tradition in the event. Her older brother, Noah Zastrow, won the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field national championship in the pole vault in 2021.
In the men's pole vault,
Braden Krystosek cleared 4.93 meters (16' 2") to place 11th overall, while
Sam Knox also cleared 4.93 meters to tie for 13th place. Both athletes earned Second-Team All-America honors.
Thomas Casey added another All-America performance for the Blue Devils, running 8.13 in the men's 60-meter hurdles to finish in Second-Team All-America position.
