Hokie ClubEUGENE, Ore. — The Virginia Tech track and field team opened the first day of the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday at Hayward Field with Maddox Hamm and Conner McClure each earning First Team All-America honors, while Christian Jackson delivered a season-best performance to advance to the men’s 800 meters final.
Hamm cleared a personal-best 5.60 meters (18 feet, 4½ inches) to place sixth, earn his first career First Team Outdoor All-America honor, and move into a tie for fourth on Virginia Tech’s outdoor all-time pole vault list. The accolade marks the second All-America recognition of his career after earning honors during the 2025 indoor season. His junior campaign has also been highlighted by a silver-medal performance at the 2026 outdoor championships. Earlier this year, Hamm set the Virginia Tech indoor pole vault record at 5.70 meters (18 feet, 8¼ inches).
McClure earned his third career First Team All-America distinction after placing seventh with a clearance of 5.60 meters (18 feet, 4½ inches). The Virginia Tech outdoor pole vault record holder closes his career as a three-time All-American, highlighted by an NCAA Indoor bronze medal in 2024 and ACC indoor titles in 2023 and 2024. His school-record clearance of 5.75 meters (18 feet, 10¼ inches), set at the 2024 Texas Relays, still stands.
Jackson returned to Hayward Field for the second consecutive year in the 800 meters, where he punched his ticket to Friday’s final with a season-best 1:45.38, finishing second in his semifinal to secure an automatic qualification.
Up Next
The Hokie women will compete on day two of the championships, with Mariana Pestana opening the day at 5:30 p.m. ET in the women’s hammer throw, followed by Chiara Sistermann in the pole vault (8:35 p.m. ET) and Jule Lindner in the steeplechase semifinal at 8:38 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN2.