Senior Claire Schweller earns All-America honors on Day 1 of the NCAA III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships

LA CROSSE, Wis. - Senior Claire Schweller (Paulding) earns her second career All-American honors in the pole vault to lead the Ohio Northern women's outdoor track & field team on the first day of the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on a cool Thursday afternoon. 

| NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships site |

The Basics

• Ohio Northern has scored 1 point and is tied for 24th place after four of 21 events.
• Record: Ohio Northern (40-9 Overall).
• Venue: Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex - LA Crosse, Wis.
• The top eight finishers in each event earn All-American honors.
• Finishers 9-16 earn Second Team All-America honors by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association.

ONU Individuals

• Schweller was eighth in the pole vault by clearing 3.95 meters.
• This is Schweller's second career All-American honors on the pole vault, her first coming in 2024. 
• Junior Katelyn Wagner (Sycamore/Wynford) will compete in the shot put and will compete on Friday at 2 pm (EDT). 
• Sophomore All-American Avery Baker-Schlendering (Freeport, Maine) will compete in the high jump on Friday at 3 pm (EDT). 

Notables

• Schweller made her sixth NCAA Championships appearance in the pole vault.
• She was seeded eighth of 22 competitors in the pole vault with a career-best effort of 4.00 meters.
• Schweller finishes her career as a 5-time OAC Champion in the pole vault.
• The top 22 individuals and the top 16 relay teams in each event qualify for the NCAA Championships.
• Head Coach Jason Maus is in his 17th year at Ohio Northern and is 550-182-3 in women's indoor track and field for a winning percentage of .748. He is ONU's all-time winningest coach in track and field history.

Up Next

• The Polar Bears will return to action tomorrow for Day 2 of the NCAA Division III Championships at La Crosse, Wis.