Justin Oppel Class: Junior Hometown: Amarillo, TX High School: Amarillo Height: 5-10 Event: Pole Vault Birthdate: 06/06/1985

AS A SOPHOMORE: Formed part of a formidable pole vault duo with teammate Dave Viken ... qualified for the indoor BIG EAST Championship and scored points for the championship-winning men's team ... tied for third in the league meet with a vault of 4.50m (14-09) ... also qualified for the BIG EAST outdoor meet ... placed fifth with a vault of 4.35m (14-03.25).

AS A FRESHMAN: Steadily improved during the 2004 indoor season and eventually finished seventh at the BIG EAST indoor meet to score points toward the team title ... seventh-place finish came on a 4.65m (15-3) clearance ... best indoor effort was 4.80m (15-9) at the Meyo Invitational, good enough for fifth place ... competed in just two competitions during the 2004 outdoor season, carding a best effort of 4.70m (15-5) at the Tom Botts Invitational.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL: One of the top prep pole vaulters coming out of Texas in 2003 ... earned three letters in track and field, and was also a two-year letter winner in football playing cornerback at Amarillo ... won the regional pole vault championship as a junior ... moved on to claim the district championship during his senior season ... was named the track and field team MVP in 2003 ... set the Ratliff Stadium Record (Lubbock, Texas) at the Lubbock Invitational on March 1, 2003, clearing 15-3 ... top prep pole vault clearance ended up at 15-6, posted at the Deaf Smith Relays at Hereford, Texas ... finished fifth at the Texas State Track Meet in the pole vault as a junior ... member of the National Honor Society ... second cousin, Gary Metzler ('80) is a graduate of Notre Dame ... born June 6, 1985, in Amarillo, Texas ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters while working towards a psychology degree.