There were lofty expectations for Andrew Irwin when he signed a scholarship to compete in pole vault at Arkansas. The Irwin name was already established in Fayetteville in that sport by his sister, Stephanie, who’d had an All-American career there. Questions were asked if he could possibly do anything close to what his sister did at Arkansas. In this, just his freshman season, Irwin answered them emphatically.

He’s already a two-time champion from the indoor season and has been among the nation’s best all year outdoor as well. As the second season winds down, Irwin, the No. 1 vaulter in the nation and Southeastern Conference, reflects on a season that has been unlike anything he had envisioned.

“I didn’t expect to have anything close to being a national champion my freshman year,” Irwin said. “Not by any means. I jumped 17-9.25 my senior year [in high school] and I really wanted to jump 18 for sure. That was one of my main goals. I thought that would be a pretty good one for my freshman year. But nothing like this.”

NCAA DI Outdoor Championships