Willer Breaks Pan Am Junior Record

Port of Spain, Trinidad ? Natalie Willer continued to break records on Friday afternoon, as the Husker sophomore won the women’s pole vault at the Pan Am Junior Championships with a meet-record vault of 14-1 1/4. In 2009, Willer has now broke seven pole vault records, starting during the indoor season with the NU school record (14-0) and Big 12 Indoor meet record (13-10). Outdoors, the Elkhorn, Neb., native broke the Ed Weir Stadium record (14-0 1/2), Drake Relays record (14-3 1/2), American Junior and NU school record (14-4 1/2) and now the Pan Am Junior record.

 

Willer led a 1-2 finish for Team USA as she was followed by Mansfield, Texas, native Shade Weygandt. The two Midwest natives were followed by Adrian Beaumont-Courteua of Canada, Sara Santos Silva of Brazil and Melanie Blouin of Canada. The Team USA teammates will have plenty of chances to battle at the collegiate level next season as Weygant will be starting her collegiate career at Texas Tech.

 

Adding to the impressive feat, Willer and the other competitors had to arrive at Hasley Crawford Stadium much earlier than previously scheduled. Originally the pole vault was set for 5 p.m., but at 6 a.m. today, athletes were made aware that the event was being moved to 10 a.m.

 

Overall, this year’s Team USA squad looks to best the 48 medals won by Team USA at the 2007 Pan Am Games. Current Husker Scott Wims brought back one of those medals in ’07, as he won the 200-meter dash.

 

The Huskers will also be represented at the Pan Am Games by Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, native Jessica Furlan on Sunday night. Furlan will run in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase for Team Canada at 6:40 p.m. (Eastern).