Houston, Texas. – Minnesota State senior Katelin Rains successfully defended her national championship in the pole vault event as she won her third pole vault title with a mark of 13’-9 1/4”.

“I’m thankful for my third title and it being my senior year,” Rains said. “It feels good to be a senior and go out on top.”

Rains was joined by fellow Maverick Lauren Stelten as she finished sixth in the pole vault event with a vault of 12’-1 1/2”.

Rains also finished ninth in the long jump event with a jump of 18’-5”. Senior Kaycie Merrihew finished 12th in the long jump with a mark of 17’-8 3/4”.

Junior Brittany Henderson qualified for the 60-meter and 200-meter dash events with times of 7.46 and 24.70, respectively. The final wills run on Saturday.

Rains will also take part in the triple jump and will join Henderson, junior Kelsey Leonard, and junior Andrea Sellars in the 4x400 relay event Saturday, while Merrihew will take part in the pentathlon event.

-30-