SAN ANGELO, Texas — In the final day of competition for Cal State Stanislaus track and field athletes, junior pole vaulter
Kasey Burlingham soared to new heights and captured a national championship.
Burlingham broke the school record for the third time this season and became CSUS' first men's national champion in pole vault at the NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships at LeGrand Sports Complex on the campus of Angelo State.
Burlingham finished with the top clearance of 17 feet, 8 1/2 inches to capture the title, defeating Grand Valley State's Bryant Wilson, who cleared 17-4 1/2. Burlingham had entered the meet ranked second in the nation behind Wilson, the defending National Champion.
"He's been phenomenal," Bradshaw said of Burlingham prior to the meet. "He has stood up big time. The man has been (a) total team guy. Coach (Tom) Brenda has been very, very good at keeping (the pole vaulters) consistent."
The junior from Alto had to come from behind for the title. At 5.30 meters, Burlingham missed on his first two attempts while Wilson cleared it with his second try. Burlingham then made it over the bar on his third try to stay in the hunt.
Then at 5.40 meters, Burlingham cleared it on his second attempt with Wilson failing in all his three of his jumps for the win.
Abilene Christian's Stephen Toler finished third with a 17-0 3/4.
Burlingham became the second Warrior All-American in pole vault. Eldwin Chappell earned that honor in 2004. He is the fourth men's individual national champion at Cal State Stanislaus during the Division II era.
In 1994, Undrae Walker (high jump), Jomal Bush (triple jump) and Geoff Bradshaw (decathlon) all won national championships for CSU Stanislaus.
Burlingham is also the first Warrior to win a national championship, in any sport, since Chaunte Mitchell captured back-to-back titles in women's pole vault in 2004 and 2005.
Also earning All-American honors on Saturday was
Jasimen Bailey in women's discus. Bailey finished seventh with a throw of 146 feet, six inches. This coming just two weeks after qualifying for the event when she used her last attempt at the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships to make it to the national meet.
Western State's Ashley Stephens won the championship in the discus with a 164-01.
Men's Pole Vault Results
Women's Discus Results