West Central Reporter

Breaking school records is not new for Western Illinois pole vaulter Arnie Grunert. At the recent Iowa Musco Twilight, Grunert made a significant impression on Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) track and field followers and NCAA Division I fans by setting another record for Western Illinois University (WIU).

During the meet, Grunert achieved a height of 17 feet, 4.5 inches. This performance marked the highest in Leatherneck program history and was also the best among OVC pole vaulters this spring.

For his outstanding performance, Grunert was named the Ohio Valley Conference Male Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week. The league announced this recognition on Wednesday.

Grunert's vault placed him in the national rankings as well, earning him the 32nd top height this season. Additionally, he tied for 18th among qualifiers for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Region. The top 48 vaulters from each region qualify for an invitation to the postseason meet, where only the top 24 pole vaulters nationwide advance to the National Championships.

This weekend, Grunert and his team, the Leathernecks, will compete in the prestigious Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. This event offers them another chance to measure their skills against some of the nation's elite athletes.