FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

May 8, 2009 - North Central College pole vaulter Rachel Secrest established a new NCAA Division III national record with her first-place finish at North Central's Dr. Keeler Track and Field Invitational at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Thursday.

Secrest's winning vault of 13 feet, 2 1/4 inches (4.02 meters) eclipsed her previous personal best of 13'0 3/4", established last season, and moved her into the No. 1 spot among all female Division III pole vaulters in history. The previous record of 13'1 3/4" (4.01 meters) had been shared by Kelly Bowen of Nebraska Wesleyan University (2002) and Kim Marino of Richard Stockton College (2004).

The previous North Central College outdoor record of 13'1 1/2" had been held by two-time Division III Indoor National Champion Megan Rossi '07 since 2006.

The Dr. Keeler Invitational concludes on Friday. Secrest won the Division III Indoor National Championship in the pole vault in March, and will look to add an outdoor national title to her resume at this season's Division III Outdoor National Championships, to be held May 21-23 at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.