Staff Report
Robert Caldwell capped his breakout season in strong fashion, earning All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 10.
Caldwell finished tied for eighth in the pole vault at the 2006 NCAA's after clearing 17-6 1/2 feet. The junior became the second Lobo to be named All-American in the event.
Caldwell made a name for himself throughout the 2006 indoor season, qualifying for the NCAA Championships with a career-high jump of 17-7 1/4 at the Mountain West Conference Championships.
Caldwell's teammate, Derek Mackel, also qualified for the national meet, but was unable to clear the opening height of 17-0 1/2. The senior had been UNM's top pole vaulter for most of the season, but was unable to get going at the championships.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Senior Tommy Skipper of Oregon won the event with a height of 18-6 1/2. Brigham Young University senior Robison Pratt cleared the same height, but finished second because he needed more attempts to get over the pole.
The only other UNM pole vaulter to earn All-American honors in the pole vault was Simon Arkell in 1989. According to trackwire.com, Caldwell and Mackel were ranked in the top 12 in the country in the event during the indoor season.
The outdoor track and field season kicks off Saturday at the Jim Click Shootout in Tucson, Ariz.
