Kansas' Jordan Scott Named Big 12 Indoor Male Freshman of the Year

March 1, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Big 12 indoor pole vault champion Jordan Scott was named the Big 12 Indoor Male Track and Field Freshman of the Year, the Big 12 announced Thursday. A freshman from Watkinsville, Ga., Scott cleared 17-05.50 to win the championship and earn 10 points for the men’s team at the meet.

The mark represented Scott’s second NCAA provisional mark in the event this year. Currently, Scott ranks 14th in the nation in the event. He will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., home of the NCAA Indoor National Championships, Saturday to compete in the Arkansas Last Chance meet in hopes of improving his mark in the event. Usually, the top 15 performers in an event are invited to the NCAA Championships.

Following his winning vault, Scott knew the performance was special.

“It was my last jump at that height and as I came down the runway, I visualized myself clearing the bar and it was probably the best jump I have ever taken,” Scott said. “It is exciting for both Kate Sultanova and I to win the event. Our coach, Tom Hays, has done a great job. He has really been building us up for this meet and it paid off today.”

Scott’s victory gave Kansas a sweep in the pole vault events at the Big 12 Indoor Championships in Ames, Iowa on Feb. 23-24, as junior Kate Sultanova won the women’s event by clearing 13-09.25. Coincidentally, Sultanova is the last Jayhawk to receive Big 12 Freshman of the Year, receiving the award following her 2005 outdoor season.

– KU –