EMPORIA, Kans. – Roberts Wesleyan University sophomore Austin Melvin earned first-team All-America honors with a personal-best effort in the men's pole vault at the NCCA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

Melvin cleared 5.26 meters (17-feet, 3-inches) and finished seventh while breaking the school record.

Roberts sophomore Jordan Bryner made the first two bars that he attempted and finished tied for 14^th at 5.01m (16-5 ¼) to earn second-team All-America status.

Harding senior Vlad Malykhin set a meet record (18-3) and finished first, winning his fourth straight NCAA outdoor pole vault title and eighth overall.

"This was an insanely competitive meet," Roberts assistant coach Rick Suhr said. "We witnessed the most competitive field in Division II history today. I am thrilled with our showing.

"Austin just had to fight it out and he did. Jordan had a good meet at his first national meet. He got up on a bigger pole and had a good day."

Melvin, who did not qualify for the meet until late in the season, entered the competition at 4.86m and cleared the three heights on his first attempt before missing his first try at 5.26. He cleared the mark on his second try before missing three times at 5.36m (17-7).

Melvin, who finished 10^th at the 2025 outdoor championships, is now a four-time All-American, having earned second-team honors both indoors and outdoors last year and first-team honors this year after placing third at the indoor championships in March.

Bryner, who cleared 17 feet to set the school record earlier this season, came into Saturday's competition at 4.86m and was eliminated after missing his three attempts at 5.16m (16-11).