Pole vaulter Jeremy Klas, along with hurdler Liga Velvere and javelin thrower Ugis Svazs all competed at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore. over the weekend. When everything was settled, all three earned All-American status.
Klas, a senior from Moscow, Idaho, finished the best out of the three Idaho competitors. He placed sixth in the pole vault championship with a vault of 18 feet, 1/2 inch. Klas’ final event as a Vandal was a memorable one as he broke the Idaho school record for pole vaulting. His sixth place finish was good enough to earn first team All-American honors.
Vandal Director of Track and Field Wayne Phipps had plenty of good things to say about Klas after his performance.
“Klas was amazing today,” Phipps said in a GoVandals.com press release. “He worked so hard and improved so much over the course of the year. He is such a great kid, an awesome leader, awesome athlete and awesome person.”
Meanwhile, Velvere earned second team All-American honors with her 14th place finish in the 400 meter hurdles. Going in to the Championships, she was ranked 26th in the nation in the event. She finished five seconds behind the leader and three seconds behind the second place finisher.
Phipps also commented in the press release after Velvere completed her career as a Vandal.
“She got down early but she battled back really well in the last 100 meters,” Phipps said. “Liga has had an amazing career here at Idaho and it was great to see her cap it all with an All-American award.”
Svazs had to wait until the last day of competition to compete in his first NCAA championship. But that didn’t hurt his chances and he ended up finishing eighth in the javelin throw. His first throw landed at 232 feet and it ended up being his best throw of the day. With the eighth place finish, Svazs made first team All-American honors.
Track and Field head coach Julie Taylor spoke about Svazs and his top ten finish in a separate GoVandals.com press release.
“I figured 70 meters would make the final (Ugis’ was 71 meters),” Taylor said. “His first throw proved to be his best. I know Ugis wanted to improve on that mark but I am very proud of how he competed in his first NCAA final. To finish with first-team All-American honors is a great achievement.”