Gunnarsson elevates to No. 2 in Hokies' history at Nittany Lion Challenge

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Lisa Gunnarsson and Rachel Baxter, the top two NCAA Division 1 freshmen teammates in the women's pole vault, were impressive in their collegiate debuts Saturday at Penn State's Nittany Lion Challenge.

Gunnarsson cleared 14-6 (4.42m) and Baxter produced an indoor personal-best 14-0 (4.27m) to not only take the top two spots, but elevate to second and fifth among Division 1 vaulters this year behind Kentucky's Olivia Gruver at 15-1 (4.60m).

Gunnarsson's mark was the second-best indoor performance in program history, trailing only the 14-7.25 (4.45m) by Martina Schultze in 2013. Baxter became the fifth Virginia Tech female vaulter to clear 14 feet indoors.

Gunnarsson still holds the World U18 indoor record at 14-11 (4.55m). Baxter's best high school indoor clearance was 13-10.50 (4.23m).

Gunnarsson and Baxter are considered the best pair of freshmen vaulters on the same team since the Weeks twins, now Tori Hoggard and Lexi Jacobus, debuted at Arkansas in 2016.