It didn’t go exactly as he expected, but in the end, Binghamton University pole vaulter Rory Quiller became an NCAA champion Friday night.
In his final meet as a Bearcat, Quiller reached a height of 18 1/2 to take the top finish at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at the University of Arkansas.
“It was kind of a double-edged sword actually,” Quiller said. “It was really neat and exciting to get the win, but … at 18 1/2, I sort of assumed that all the guys that were jumping were going to make that height and that I’d have to jump higher.”
Clemson senior Mitch Greeley came closest to Quiller’s mark, with a jump of 17-8 1/2.
Entering the meet, Quiller predicted he would have to set a personal record — which he has done three times in the last month — to win.
Quiller is the first athlete to win an individual NCAA championship since Binghamton moved to the Division I level in 1991. He is also the first athlete in the 29-year history of the America East Conference to earn the distinction.
“It was really good for the school, I couldn’t be happier,” Quiller said. “To be able to say when I get announced at a [future Binghamton] track meet, that I’m national champion … I’ve gotten second a bunch of times, it’s a lot better to get first.”
Quiller came in second at the indoor championships a year ago. This year’s win gives Quiller All-American honors for the third time in his collegiate career.
“Winning an NCAA title is the ultimate goal for most collegiate athletes,” said Binghamton track and field head coach Mike Thompson. “It was incredible to do it in his final meet. In high school he never even won a state championship.”
The championship marked the end of the indoor season, and with it, Quiller’s eligibility as a Binghamton athlete. He will continue to practice with Binghamton in preparation for the U.S. Olympic trials, scheduled to be held in Eugene, Ore., from June 27 to July 6.
Knowing he had already won Friday, Quiller made his last attempt for 18-8 1/4, the mark that would automatically qualify him to attend the trials.
“I stayed in the moment, tried to get that automatic qualifier for the Olympics,” Quiller said. “Had a good look at it on my third attempt — pole vault’s an event where you always end on a miss. So you’re the national champ, but you’re walking out of the pit and you just failed. It’s kind of a weird situation.”
Quiller has already reached the provisional mark of 18 1/2. The top 24 who reach or exceed that height head to Oregon.
Quiller set his personal record and the Division I high mark for the season last Friday at the ECAC/IC4A Championships, with a height of 18-6 1/2.