University of Connecticut Athletics
Hunter Readies for 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships
6/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
Championship Central
EUGENE, Ore. - A year after earning First Team All-America outdoor honors, UConn men's track and field standout Craig Hunter is set to compete in the pole vault at the 2016 NCAA Championships on Wednesday, June 8 at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
The pole vault final, which will feature 24 athletes from around the nation, will begin at 7 p.m. ET. A complete list of championship events can be found by CLICKING HERE. Fans can keep up with all the action via ESPN3 and a live results tab (links posted above).
Hunter advanced to Wednesday's championship after posting a 5.30m mark at the NCAA East Regionals on May 26 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Husky pole vaulter has turned in a standout outdoor campaign after redshirting during the 2016 indoor season. The Robbinsville, N.J. native grabbed a silver medal at the 2016 American Athletic Conference championship in Orlando, Fla., notching a season-best 5.30m mark in the pole vault.
A year ago, Hunter established a new program outdoor record at the NCAA championships, clearing 5.40m in the pole vault en route becoming UConn's 35th-ever All-American and 23rd under current head coach Greg Roy.
Hayward Field was initially constructed for football in 1919. Two years later, a six-lane cinder track was installed and a full schedule of track events were transferred from Kincaid Field on the opposite edge of campus. The facility was utilized for both sports until the opening of Autzen Stadium in 1967.
The stadium (current capacity: 10,500) has undergone significant improvements in modern history, including a new track surface, permanent lights, a video board and newly configured infield.
The top-eight finishers in each event will earn First Team All-America honors, while competitors who finish ninth through 16th are tabbed as Second Team All-America selections.
Check back with uconnhuskies.com on Wednesday night for a complete recap. Fans can use the hashtag #NCAATF on Twitter to receive up-to-the-minute details during the four-day stretch.
Players Mentioned
