EUGENE, Ore. – The High Point University Men's Track and Field team opened competition at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with three Panthers in action, continuing a historic week for a program that qualified a record five athletes to Nationals. Wednesday marked the first full day of events for HPU, highlighted by the decathlon and men's pole vault events.
In the men's pole vault, Ricardo Montes De Oca earned a 10th-place finish for Second Team All-American honors after clearing 5.50m. He entered the competition at 5.35m and cleared on his second attempt. He moved on to 5.50m and cleared on his first attempt giving him a Top 10 finish.
"Very proud of Ricardo and JJ today as they both competed well," Assistant Coach Scott Houston stated. "Sometimes the bar just doesn't stay and both of them had very close attempts at heights that give them the opportunity to compete for First Team All-American. They will both learn and grow from this experience and we look forward to having them compete at the NCAA Championship level again."
Teammate Jason Olivera Jr. capped his first NCAA Championships with a 17th-place finish in the men's pole vault to earn Honorable Mention status. Olivera Jr. reached Eugene after a dramatic 5.45m clearance at First Rounds and carried that momentum into his debut on the national stage. Olivera Jr. was clean over 5.20m and cleared 5.35m on his second attempt, giving him a spot in the Top-20 at his first Championship meet.
In the decathlon, Cole Wilson delivered a steady and competitive start to his national campaign. Wilson opened the day with a 15th-place finish in the 100m, followed by 13th in the long jump, 4th in the shot put with a personal best 14.69m throw, 16th in the high jump with a personal best 1.95m, and 15th in the 400m with a season-best 49.74 time. His consistency across the opening slate placed him eighth overall after Day 1 with 4,013 points, positioning him well heading into the final five events.
"Cole Wilson started off his decathlon with five solid events on day one," Houston added. "He has put himself in a great position to compete for First Team All-American with his day two competition tomorrow."
Wilson will continue the decathlon tomorrow, June 11 at 1:45 P.M. ET.
The Panthers will continue their presence in Eugene throughout the week. Emily Romano will compete in the women's pole vault Thursday at 8:35 P.M. ET, and Mya Hines will take the stage in the women's high jump Saturday at 7:30 P.M. ET.
High Point's record-setting group continues to showcase the growth, depth, and competitive maturity that have defined the program's rise.
#GoHPU x #DefendTheTeam
