Lincoln -- Nebraska freshman pole vaulter Eric Eshbach tied for the nation's lead with a vault of 18-0 1/2 Saturday, breaking the Nebraska school record in a dual meet against Oklahoma. Eshbach, who qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships, bettered NU's previous all-time best indoor mark of 17-9, set by Glen Loontjer in 1984.

"At this point in the season, just the height means more to me than the record," said Eshbach, who has put on 17 pounds since August. "Since I've come here, I've gotten a lot bigger and a lot faster, but my technique is still very rusty. It's not where it needs to be."

The mark didn't surprise NU Pole Vaults Coach Tom Williams, who saw Eshbach place second in the elite collegiate division at the 2000 National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev., on Jan. 22, clearing the same height as the winner (17-8