MIDWAY, Ky. - After getting as high as the No. 2 spot in the national rankings in recent seasons, Midway women's pole vault made history on Tuesday.

In a poll released by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, the Eagles came away as the No. 1 women's pole vault team in the country for the first time in program history. Midway had a combined mark of 14.50 meters, just ahead of No. 2 Doane (Neb.) at 14.46.

"Midway's always had individual pole vault success. But to have four girls compete...as the No. 1 squad is really special," head coach Hunter Wethington said. "Just seeing how hard they work every day and finally all the pieces fell into the right spot. It's really rewarding for them."

The performance that got the Eagles over the top came last Saturday, when Emerson VanScoy easily eclipsed the NAIA national qualifying 'A' standard of 3.65 meters, topping out at 3.85 at the Centre Indoor Invitational. That was good enough to get VanScoy up to No. 5 in the individual national rankings.

Maddi Reed (3.60) and Makayla Brooks (3.55) have also qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships, hitting the national 'B' standard of 3.55, while Cate Coppola is just shy with a top height of 3.50. Reed, Brooks and Coppola are ranked Nos. 18, 23 and 28 respectively.

All four will have a chance to improve Midway's ranking this weekend at the River States Conference Indoor Championships in Marietta, Ohio. Pole vault competition begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, the second day of competition.