Chloe Timberg wins 1st Rutgers track & field national title in 41 years
Junior pole vaulter Chloe Timberg etched her name in Rutgers track and field history after winning a national title in the pole vault, setting a new meet and school record. Timberg became the first Scarlet Knight to be named a national champion since 1983 and gave Rutgers its first women’s NCAA Championship in program history.
Timberg first matched her career best of 4.60 meters (15’ 1’’) before clearing a national title-winning height of 4.71 meters (15’ 5.5’’), tied for third-best in NCAA history.
“This was a testament of how amazing of a support system I have around me,” Timberg said. “Coaches, family and teammates were there to lift me up during some of the frustrating times, and believe me, there were plenty of those. It is a special moment to become the athlete that those around you have always told you you could be, and I am overflowing with pride as I wear that big red R on my chest through these moments.”
Timberg had an impressive outdoor season before the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She captured a silver medal at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, set the meet and Franklin Field record at the Penn Relays in April and was named an All-American. Timberg’s indoor season was just as successful, finishing third at the NCAA Championships in March.
This season, Timberg was named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year, Big Ten Field Athlete of the Championships and the USTFCCA Mid-Altantic Field Athlete of the Year.
Timberg’s height of 4.71 meters (15’ 5.5’’) is an Olympic standard, meaning she will return to Hayward Field on June 28 for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
“Chloe was unbeatable today,” said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Bobby Farrell. “She’s been getting better every single meet. I can’t tell you how proud we are of her and to see her accomplish this tonight has been such an amazing highlight of the year. She had the best day of her life when it mattered the most, and that’s what champions do.”
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