Patterson and Campbell impressive in collegiate debuts with record-setting performances

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

It was quite the collegiate debut weekend for Virginia Tech freshman Jacory Patterson and Stephen F. Austin freshman Nastassja Campbell.

Patterson set the World U-20 record in the men’s 300 meters by clocking 32.49 seconds Friday at the Virginia Tech Invitational and Campbell eclipsed the American U-20 record in the girls pole vault Saturday by clearing 14 feet, 4.75 inches (4.39m) at the Ted Nelson Invitational at Texas A&M.

Patterson, a graduate of Dreher High in South Carolina, lowered the standard of 32.64 set last year by Brian Herron of Lakeside High in Georgia.

Patterson’s mark ranks second in collegiate indoor history – trailing only the 32.32 run in 2010 by Georgia’s Torrin Lawrence – and makes him the No. 17 all-time performer in the world, including ninth in the U.S.

Campbell, a 14-foot outdoor vaulter at New Caney High in Texas, improved on the 2009 U.S. U-20 indoor mark of 14-3.25 (4.35m) set by Nebraska’s Natalie Willer by clearing 14-4.75 on her second attempt.

Campbell wound up placing second to American professional Morgann LeLeux Romero, who cleared 14-6.75 (4.44m).

Campbell ranks No. 23 all-time on the World U-20 indoor list, 36th in NCAA Division 1 indoor history and 58th in U.S. indoor history.