CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 29, 2010) – Justin Germani finished his season in style by earning All-American honors in the pole vault at the 2010 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships Saturday evening at the Irwin Bell Complex on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. (CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS)
Germani was seventh overall in the event with a personal best clearance of 16 feet, 4 inches. He topped his previous best effort of 16-3.5 by half an inch. Germani’s performance finished a memorable weekend for the Kutztown University men’s track and field program. Germani became the Golden Bears’ second All-American, joining Jack Iosue, who was fourth in the javelin earlier in the day.
“It’s an awesome experience to make All-American status,” Germani said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I thought I was pretty consistent today. I was excited coming into the meet. I wasn’t nervous because I’ve competed in big meets before.”
As soon as the competition began, Germani knew he would have to bring his best effort to finish among the nation’s elite. The bar started a little higher than Germani was used to, but he quickly adapted and earned his personal best clearance on his third attempt at 16-4. Germani completes an All-American double for the Golden Bears this season. Will Hodges was eighth at the indoor national championships and Germani finished the outdoor season with a flourish.
Kori Meshaw ran his fastest time of the season in the 400-meter hurdles in Thursday’s preliminaries. His effort was 52.53 seconds. On the women’s side in the 800-meter finals, Keri Brown was 16th overall with a time of 2 minutes, 13.48.
“Competing in nationals was a great experience and one of the best times I’ve had competing in track and field,” Germani said. “Finishing seventh has me excited for next year. I want to soar higher next year.”
--KU--