Concordia University Pole Vault History

Early Years - Since 1986, Concordia University, Nebraska pole vaulters have become known as a consistently producing some of the top pole vaulters in the NAIA. Through the mid 90's the pole vaulters from Concordia could be seen all over the country competing with and winning some of the top NCAA and NAIA track meets. Lead by Gene Brooks, the school record holder, the vaulters from that era tallied 7 national championships (Patrick Gellens - 2, Gene Brooks - 5), 18 All-Americans, and dozens of Conference and District Champions.

2000's - The end of the 90's till present ushered in a new era. TJ Kloster led the men in holding 6 National titles and 1 for Jeb Meyer. Also added in this new era was the women’s pole vault which included record holder Steph Beberniss national title in 2003. With the men and women together, this era has produced dozens of All-Americans and Conference Champions.

This strong history has lead an All-Time record list that is the most difficult to get onto in the modern GPAC conference. A female vaulter has to clear 10'9" to get into the top 10 that includes eight that have personal bests over 11' or higher. On the men's side it takes a vault of 16'3½" or higher to get into the top ten. As a point of comparison, that would be the school record and most other GPAC and NAIA colleges. Concordia vaulters are proud of the strong vaulting tradition they have built and been part of over the past decades.

Concordia University is an excellent institution of higher learning with a Christian foundation affiliated with the Lutheran Church (LCMS). Concordia University strives to be a caring community through the people who comprise the faculty, administration, staff, and student body. The basis of Concordia’s community is the commonly held faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You may visit Concordia’s website at CUNE Track & Field. Concordia is a member of the GPAC Conference. You may visit the GPAC conference web page at www.gpacsports.com

NAIA National Champions

1985  
Indoors 
Patrick Gellens 
16'06" 
5.03m
1985 Outdoors
Patrick Gellens
16'04.75" 
5.00m
1987 Indoors
Gene Brooks
16'00"
4.80m
1988
Indoors
Gene Brooks
17'00"
5.18m
1989
Indoors
Gene Brooks
17'00"
5.18m
1989
Outdoors 
Gene Brooks
16'08.75" 
5.10m
1990
Indoors
Gene Brooks
18'00.5"
5.50m
1998
Indoors
TJ Kloster
16'08"
5.08m
1998
Outdoors
TJ Kloster
16'08.75"
5.10m
2000
Indoors
TJ Kloster
17'06"
5.33m
2000
Outdoors
TJ Kloster
16'02.75"
4.95m
2001
Indoors
TJ Kloster
16'05.5"
5.02m
2002
Outdoors
TJ Kloster
17'06.25"
5.34m
2003
Indoors
Jeb Myers
16'05.5"
5.02m
2003
Indoors
Steph Beberniss 
12'01.5" 
3.70m
         

GPAC Conference Records

2001 
Indoors  
TJ Kloster              
17'05"     
5.30m 
2001
Outdoors 
TJ Kloster 
17'01" 
5.20m