Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Crum Defends Title In Day One Of ACC Championships

CLEMSON, S.C. – The men’s and women’s track team kicked off the championship portion of the indoor season schedule with the ACC Indoor Championships on Thursday at the Clemson Indoor Track and Field Complex.

The Irish turned in a number of impressive performances, accumulating seven All-ACC performances, including three First Team All-ACC honors.

Colton Crum successfully defended his 2020 pole vault title by earning the 2021 crown by clearing 5.22m. The junior was flawless in his first three heights which allowed him to take first place and a First Team All-ACC honor. Freshman Nolan Blachowski had a day to remember as well in the pole vault, hitting a personal record with a height of 4.92m to take sixth place and earn Second Team All-ACC accolades.

The top women’s performance from the opening day came from Rachel Tanczos. The senior battled her way in the weight throw to a second-place finish, recording a distance of 22.41m. Tanczos was agonizingly close to winning the event, coming just .05m short of matching first place. However, Tanczos has now finished in the top two in each of the last three ACC Championships for the weight throw, including a win in 2019.

In the men’s weight throw John Stefan turned in the best throw of his career, posting a distance of 20.36m to finish fourth and take home Second Team All-ACC status.

Another podium finish for the Irish was turned in by graduate student Kenny Vasbinder in the 5,000m race. Vasbinder crossed the line third with a personal record time of 13:52.70, which ranks second in program history, to earn First Team All-ACC accolades. Two spots behind him was teammate Matthew Carmody, finishing fifth in 13:59.28 to earn Second Team All-ACC marks.

Freshman Madison Schmidt continued her noteworthy first collegiate season in the high jump, setting a personal record by clearing a height of 1.73m to garner Second Team All-ACC honors by finishing sixth. The height of 1.73m ties Schmidt for seventh all time in program history.

In the prelims the standout performer was Sam Voelz, who qualified first for Saturday’s 800m final with a personal best time of 1:47.93. The time moves Voelz up to third in program history for fastest times in the event and places him sixth in the country this season for the DI level.

The Irish return to the track on Friday, Feb. 26 for day two of the ACC Championships. Competition starts with the women’s pentathlon at 10 a.m. The second day of competition will stream live on ACCNX. 

DAY ONE RESULTS
ACC Championships
Clemson, S.C.
Feb. 25, 2021

WOMEN

800m Run Prelims
21 – Erin Sullivan, 2:16.31

High Jump
6 – Madison Schmidt, PR: 1.73m (2nd Team All-ACC)

Weight Throw
2 – Rachel Tanczos, 22.41m (1st Team All-ACC)

MEN

800m Run Prelims
1 – Sam Voelz, PR: 1:47.93
8 – Parker Jones, PR: 1:51.16

5,000m Run
3 – Kenny Vasbinder, PR: 13:52.70 (1st Team All-ACC)
5 – Matthew Carmody, 13:59.28 (2nd Team All-ACC)
12 – Tom Seitzer, PR: 14:15.01
21 – Zach Kreft, 14:38.79
24 – Quinn Gallagher, 14:48.86

Pole Vault
1 – Colton Crum, 5.12m (1st Team All-ACC)
6 – Nolan Blachowski, PR: 4.92m (2nd Team All-ACC)

Weight Throw
4 – John Stefan, PR: 20.36m (2nd Team All-ACC)
11 – Michael Shoaf, 18.64m
19 – Blake Kusky, PR: 16.97m