Former KU Pole Vaulter Among 24 KU Women of Distinction for 2011-12

Aug. 24, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. – KU’s former NCAA champion pole vaulter Amy Linnen is one of 24 women featured on the 2011-12 University of Kansas Women of Distinction poster.

The women of distinction represent KU faculty, staff and students, some of whom are recent graduates. All have distinguished achievements in their work on campus and in communities locally, regionally and abroad. KU honored the group at a reception Wednesday afternoon in the Kansas Union.

Linnen, who will be inducted in the KU Athletics Hall of Fame this fall, was an All-American pole vaulter for the Jayhawks in both the indoor and outdoor track seasons of 2005. She won the national championship in the indoor pole vault that season.

She transferred to Kansas after three stellar seasons pole vaulting for the University of Arizona. After coming to Lawrence for her senior year, Linnen put together one of the best single seasons in Kansas track and field history. She still holds the school indoor and outdoor records in the event, clearing a staggering height of 4.30 meters (14-01.25 ft.).

Linnen was named the Female Jayhawk of the Year for her accomplishments both on and off the track in 2005. She graduated with a degree in Communications and currently teaches physical education at Mt. Sinai Middle School in New York.

The 2011-12 KU Women of Distinction calendars are free, although donations are accepted. They are available at numerous locations, including the Kansas Union bookstores in Lawrence and the bookstores at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. Other Lawrence campus locations include the Student Involvement and Leadership Center in the Kansas Union, on-campus housing facilities and various university departments.