Nico Weiler broke his own school and New England collegiate record in the pole vault Friday (Ivy League Athletics).

DES MOINES, Iowa – Representing the Harvard track and field team at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor track and field championships, junior Nico Weiler shattered his own school record in the pole vault, placing fourth in the competition Friday. Weiler was one of 24 vaulters in the field and the only student-athlete from a Northeastern school.

Weiler finished the competition with a clearance of 18' 0.5" (5.50m) and was one of only four competitors to clear the 5.50-meter height. The result bested his own school and New England collegiate outdoor record of 17' 7.75" (5.38m), set last month in his victory at the IC4A Championships. Weiler also becomes the first New England collegiate athlete to eclipse the 18' mark in the pole vault in indoor or outdoor competition. The finish marks the junior's second time scoring at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, as he placed sixth as a freshman at the 2009 meet.  

After missing on his first attempt at 5.30m, Weiler was successful on his second vault of the day and went on to clear 5.40m on his first attempt. Weiler secured the fourth-place finish on his final attempt at 5.50, clearing the bar after two misses. The fourth-place finish is the highest finish by a Harvard student-athlete at the NCAA outdoor championships since Christopher P. Lambert '03 placed fourth in the 200 meters at the 2003 Championships. It is the best finish by a Harvard competitor in a field event since 1980, when Thomas M. Lentz '80 took fourth in the hammer.

The USTFCCCA will announce the list 2012 All-Americans after the conclusion of the competition.