BOSTON. -- One day after winning his fourth America East Conference Indoor pole vault title, graduate student Rory Quiller (West Point, N.Y.) took his historic season to new heights--literally.

In his first appearance at the U.S. Indoor National Track & Field Championships, which were held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Quiller finished second with a lifetime-best jump of 18-4 1/2.

"It was a phenomenal day for him," head coach Mike Thompson said. "He showed how good he is, jumping against some of the best guys in the nation."

Quiller was the top collegian in the competition. He finished ahead of Olympic silver medallist Toby Stevenson and 35-year-old Olympian Derek Miles. All cleared 5.60m.

The winner of the meet was Brad Walker, the 2007 World Outdoor Pole Vault Champion and a two-time NCAA pole vault champion, who topped a tough field to win the pole vault at 18-8.

Last week, in a tri-meet against Albany and Syracuse at the Events Center, he jumped his previous lifetime best of 18-1 1/4.

In two weeks, Quiller resumes his season at Binghamton at the IC4A Championships. On March 14, he concludes his college career at the NCAA Championships at the University of Arkansas.

A five-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American, Quiller placed second at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Meet and fourth at the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

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