WHITEWATER, Wis. - San Benito grad Junior Wil Snyder became the first student athlete in the history of the University of Southern Maine track and field program to earn All-American honors.
He placed fifth in the pole vault Friday afternoon at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Fild Championships hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Hans Schmidt, a junior at Wisconsin-La Crosse, won the event with a meet and facility record of 18-1. His performance also stands as the seasonal best in Division III indoor track and field. Chris Swanson, a junior from Otterbein College, cleared 16-1 to cop runner-up honors.
Snyder followed in a group of four athletes who cleared 15-7.25. However, he was awarded fifth place based on misses. Snyder trailed Ryker Jones, a senior from Washington, Mo. and Brian DeLoriea, a junior from North Central College, who tied for third place. Tim Roa, a freshman from Wilmington College, who also cleared 15-7.25, placed sixth.
Snyder's performance is just 1.5 inches shy of his school record leap of 15-8.75, which he set Feb. 7 of this year at the State Championship meet hosted by Bates College.
Snyder is only the second member of the USM men's program to participate at the Division III NCAA Championships.
Southern Maine will open its 2004 outdoor track and field season, when it travels to Springfield College on Saturday, April 3.
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San Benito Score: Playoffs for football, volleyball and cross country
