Staff Directory
- Title:
- Volunteer Coach
Melissa Gergel, the 2011 NCAA pole vault champion for Oregon, is in her first season as a volunteer assistant coach. The Glenwood, Ill., native will work with assistant coach Jenni Ashcroft in guiding the Ducks' pole vaulters.
Gergel claimed the 2011 NCAA title in the pole vault by clearing an NCAA Championships meet record 14-7.25/4.45m. That matched a personal best for Gergel and was the second-best clearance in school history.
Gergel was a seven-time All-American in the pole vault for the Ducks and was also the 2009 Pac-10 champion in the event. As a junior in 2010, she was the national indoor runner-up, setting the school indoor record by clearing 14-7.25/4.45m. She claimed the Pac-10 title as a sophomore in 2009 by clearinf 14-2/4.32m.
Gergel posted three straight top three finishes in the pole vault to help Oregon win three consecutive Pac-10 titles. In eight NCAA Championship meets, she earned seven All-America honors. She is also a three-time USA Track & Field Championships qualifier, having finished fourth at the 2011 event at 14-7.25/4,45m.
She graduated in 2011 with a degree in human physiology after having earned a pair of Pac-10 all-academic certificates.
