Birmingham, Ala. - Lewis University senior Rebecca Priesler (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) became the first Flyer in 17 years to win a National Championship, as the Romeoville, Ill., native captured the pole vault title to lead the women's track and field to fourth place after Day One of the NCAA Division II Indoor Women's Track and Field Championships, hosted by Alabama Huntsville, at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Friday (March 11) night.

Priesler broke her own school-record with a vault of 4.10m (13'5 1/4"), breaking her previous standard of 3.80m (12'5 1/2") set earlier this season. She is the first Lewis women's indoor national champion since Magdalena Paszta won the 1-mile run in 1998.

"We all knew that Rebecca was capable (of winning this)," Lewis head women's track and field coach Dana Schwarting said. "She has been looking this good in practice for a few weeks.

"Coach (Chance) Eiker just had her believing, and when it counted, she was ready."

Grand Valley State leads after Day One with 26 points, followed by Hillsdale (18) and Central Missouri (16). Lewis (10) is tied for fourth-place with Winona State, Ashland and New Mexico Highlands.

Lewis junior Chantel Stennis (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) qualified for the 400-meter dash finals with a preliminary time of 54.98. She was unable to advance out of the preliminary heats of the 200-meter dash (24.71).

The Flyers' Distance Medley Relay Team of Kristen Bonsor (Antioch, Ill./Glenbrook North), Zoe Mead (Princeton, Ill./Princeton), Amy Polhemus (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Lake Zurich) and Amanda Farrough (South Bend, Ind./Clay) finished 12th with a time of 11:54.23.

Stennis will be back in action on 4:35 PM on Saturday (March 12) in the 400-meter dash finals, while Farrough will compete in the 3,000-meter run (5:40 PM).

"Rebecca really jolted the team into a frenzy with her win," Schwarting said. "We fed off her and had a great first day.

"Hopefully Chantel and Amanda can keep it going tomorrow."