Freshman earns top-10 finish in 1st world event

Indiana track and field coach Ron Helmer had high hopes for pole-vaulter Kelsie Ahbe before her freshman season began.

“Coach (Jake) Wiseman has been impressed with Kelsie’s competitive spirit and athleticism,” Helmer said. “We think she is capable of making an immediate impact at the Big Ten level in one of the conference’s most competitive events.”

Helmer was right. Ahbe was one of 13 athletes to qualify for the International Association of Athletics Federations Junior World Championships.

Even more impressive was the freshman’s top-10 finish. Ahbe’s clearance of 3.95 meters put her at seventh place, tied with the only other American in the field, Texas Tech freshman Shade Weygandt. Ahbe’s final clearance was only 10 centimeters below the top four finishers.

The Ohio native had previously placed second at the junior level in the USA Track and Field Championships with a clearance of 4.05 meters.