IU pole vaulters advance to NCAAs, Pipkin to quarters

IU track and field athletes ensured their first-day participation in the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Thursday would not be their only day in national competition.

Pole vaulters Vera Neuenswander and Kelsie Ahbe each qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships during June 8-11 in Des Moines, Iowa, while sprinter Devin Pipkin advanced to the quarterfinal of the men's 100-meter dash with a fourth-place finish in his heat.

Neuenswander cleared both 3.85- and 4.00-meter heights while Ahbe cleared the latter. The duo becomes IU's first to reach the NCAA's final meet in the women's pole vault.

Pipkin, who posted a 10.46-second sprint in his heat, will run again at 6:15 p.m. Saturday in the quarterfinal event.

Stay tuned to idsnews.com for further updates throughout the final two days of preliminary competition at Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex.