(Release courtesy of Roberts Wesleyan Athletic Communications)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Sophomores Karis Kraf and Kennedy Benjamins both earned a spot on the podium for the Roberts Wesleyan University Women's Track and Field team as the duo each placed in the top eight in the pole vault competition Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Virginia.

Kraf placed third overall after hitting a career-best height of 4.32 meters (14' 2"). It was her career best and places her second on the all-time Roberts Wesleyan top five list. Benjamins also hit her personal best as she placed eighth overall with a final mark of 4.07 meters (13' 4 ¼").

Benjamins cleared the first three bars of the competition, including the 4.07-meter bar, on her first attempt to set her new PR.

Kraf passed on the first height and cleared the next two bars on her first try. She missed her first attempt at 4.17 meters (13' 8 ¼"). After clearing the bar on her second attempt, Kraf hit the next bar (4.27 meters) on her first try for a new PR.

She had a pair of misses before clearing the 4.32 bar for her final height.