Hall of Fame
Gergel, Melissa
Melissa Gergel
- Induction:
- 2021
- Class:
- 2011
Melissa Gergel persevered through rain, wind and thunder and lightning that caused lengthy weather delays late into an Iowa summer night to become just the second women’s pole vault national champion in school history. Competing in her final meet as a senior at the 2011 NCAA meet, Gergel had first attempt clearances at 13-feet, 1.5-inches and 13-5.25 before needing a clutch third attempt clearance at 14-1.25 to stay alive in the competition. She then made a first attempt bar at 14-3.25 and a second attempt at 14-5.25 before winning the national title in an NCAA Championship meet-record 14-7.25. That mark ranked second in Oregon history some 10 years after her graduation. The seven-time All-American set the school pole vault record indoors with a clearance at 14-7.25 that came in a runner-up finish at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships where Oregon won the Indoor national title for the first time in school history. Including her national titles, Gergel had six top-10 finishes combined at the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships. She also became just the second Pac-10 women’s pole vault champion in school history after winning as a sophomore in 2009, one of her three career top-three finishes at the conference meet. Gergel went on to compete in both the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. She was also fourth in the pole vault at the 2011 USA Championships, matching her personal best clearance at 14-7.25.
Duck Insider 9-10-25
Wednesday, September 10
Iapani Laloulu: "Be better every single day."
Wednesday, September 10
Dan Lanning: "Business trip."
Wednesday, September 10
Duck Insider 9-9-25
Tuesday, September 09
