Athletics

HCC pole vaulter commits to Eastern Illinois University

Hagerstown Community College student-athlete Mikaila Ek recently signed a National Letter of Intent to receive a scholarship and attend Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Ill., to join its NCAA Division I women’s track and field program as a pole vault athlete this fall.

The 2021 Berkeley Springs High School graduate is a three-time NJCAA All American in women’s pole vault, ranking fourth place at the NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, third place at the 2024 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship, and fourth place at the 2024 NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

She holds the HCC women’s indoor track and field record for pole vault at 11’2 ¼” and the HCC women’s outdoor track and field record for pole vault at 11’7 ¾”. The previous records for HCC women’s indoor and outdoor track and field for pole vault were set by Becky (Walter) Ward in 2000 at 10’6” and 11’7”, respectively.

Ek also played two seasons of HCC women’s soccer during the fall 2021 and 2022 semesters.

(July 31, 2024)