Moll Clears 4.88 Meters In Pole Vault, Joins Twin Sister Amanda As Only Collegians Ever Over 16 Feet; Longisa Run Third-Fastest Indoor Women's Mile In Collegiate History

By Oliver Hinson of DyeStat

Ken Martinez photos

On a day dedicated to mile racers at the University of Washington's third annual Mile City event, one pole vaulter took over the spotlight.

Washington’s Hana Moll cleared 4.88 meters (16-0) in her season debut at the University of Washington's Mile City in Seattle on Saturday, putting her second in collegiate history behind her twin sister and teammate, Amanda Moll, who owns the collegiate record with a mark of 4.91 meters (16-1.25). 

Moll’s mark also puts her firmly in possession of the world lead. Russia’s Polina Knoroz is second at 4.74 meters (15-6.50).

Moll cleared her first four heights with no misses, then missed her first attempt at 4.88 before clearing the second time around. Moll took three attempts at 5.00 meters (16-4.75) before concluding her day.

Last year, Amanda won the Big Ten and NCAA indoor titles, as well as the Big Ten outdoor title, but Hana came through in June, winning her first NCAA outdoor title.

On the men's side, Jimmy Rhoads of Washington took care of business with a winning clearance of 5.80 meters (19-0.25). Scott Toney was second at 5.60 meters (18-4.50). 

Rhoads currently leads the NCAA with a season's best of 5.82 meters (19-1.25), which he cleared the UW Preview on Jan. 17, setting a Dempsey facility and Washington school record.

Longisa Puts Down NCAA-Leading Mark In Women’s Mile, Prakel Wins Men’s Mile

Washington State’s Rosemary Longisa obliterated her own school record in the mile by nearly 16 seconds, clocking a 4:24.59 performance, which is the fastest all-conditions mark in the NCAA this year and the third fastest all-time (it counts as all-conditions because of the Dempsey Indoor Facility’s oversized track).

Longisa and Washington’s Chloe Foerster both crushed the meet record of 4:27.96 on Saturday, with Foerster running 4:25.79 for second place, which puts her second in the NCAA this year and 10th on the all-conditions list.

On the men’s side, Adidas’s Sam Prakel won in 3:51.86, beating Nike’s Thomas Ratcliffe and a flurry of Washington milers to earn his first win since July 2024.

In total, seven Washington runners broke four on the men’s side, living up to their "Miler U" mantra. Reuben Reina Jr. led the charge at 3:52.37, finishing third, followed by Tyler Bilyard (3:54.43, fifth), Thomas Diamond (3:55.90, sixth), Evan Jenkins (3:57.21, 10th), Jamar Distel (3:57.26, 11th), Owen Powell (3:58.62, 17th) and Josiah Tostenson (3:59.41, 22nd).