Kentucky senior Keaton Daniel wasted no time leaving his mark on the NCAA Outdoor Championships, securing the program’s first medal on Wednesday afternoon. Competing in the pole vault at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, Daniel rose to the occasion, clearing a height of 18 feet, 7.25 inches (5.67 meters) to claim the national title.
This victory marked the culmination of a strategic performance for the Nevada native. Daniel opted to bypass the opening heights, entering the competition at 17 feet, 7.25 inches and clearing it on his first attempt. He continued his flawless run, conquering the next three heights before facing off against Kansas’ Clayton Simms in a thrilling final round. Daniel remained unfazed under pressure, edging out Simms to capture the coveted gold medal.
This championship win holds special significance for Daniel. It represents his first outdoor title after two previous attempts that saw him finish third in 2022 and eighth in 2023. Notably, Daniel had already secured his first NCAA title earlier this year, winning the indoor championship in Boston. With this outdoor victory, he cements his legacy as the first Wildcat in program history to achieve the prestigious feat of winning both indoor and outdoor NCAA pole vault championships in the same season.
Daniel’s triumph propelled the Kentucky men’s team to a strong start, placing them in third place overall with 10 points after day one. The focus now shifts to the UKTF women’s team, who begin their quest for glory tomorrow evening with the hammer throw kicking off at 6:00 pm ET. With the bar set high by Daniel’s performance, all eyes will be on the Wildcats as they continue their pursuit of national championship success.
Event Results
NCAA Outdoor Championships: Wednesday, June 5: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME
Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay
7:32 p.m.
Semifinal
11. Shavique Bascus, Clinton Muunga, Miles Jones, Kennedy Lightner: 38.78
