By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Elijah Jones (So., Salem, OR/Central HS) of Willamette University has been selected to compete at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the men's pole vault. The pole vault is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The event will begin at 4 p.m. EDT / 1 p.m. PDT.

Jones enters the NCAA Championships tied for 17th in the nation with a top vault of 16' 0.50". He is tied with fellow Northwest Conference competitor Levi Gibson of George Fox University. Jones and Gibson both registered their top mark at the L&C Portland Distance Carnival, with Gibson taking first place on fewer jumps and Jones finishing second.

Earlier in the year, Jones and Gibson tied for the lead at the 2024 NWC Championships at 15' 4.25", as Gibson won on jumps and Jones earned second place. They are the only two vaulters from the NWC chosen for the NCAA Championships.

Overall, 22 athletes were named to the starting list in each individual event at this year's NCAA Championships. The top 16 teams on the NCAA Division III performance list were selected in relay events. Christian Di Nicolantonio of Catholic University (D.C.) leads this year's qualifiers in the pole vault with a top result of 16' 11", set at the Penn Relays on April 25.

Peter Lichtenberger from Washington University (Mo.) cleared 16' 8.75 to qualify for the NCAA Championships, while three vaulters cleared 16' 7.25". The trio included Logan Isaacs from Centre College (Ky.), Joshua Banks from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (N.Y.), and Gavin Fleck from Wooster Polytechnic Institute (Mass.).