ROCHESTER, N.Y. – York College senior Julia Pena had a historic performance on Friday during day two of the NCAA Division III National Championships in Rochester, N.Y.

Pena became the first York College women's track and field athlete to earn All-American honors as she finished eighth in the pole vault on Friday.

Pena cleared the first three heights to move herself into All-American contention. She cleared 3.50, 3.65, and 3.80 meters before moving to 3.85 meters. Pena was unsuccessful in clearing the 3.85 height, which would have tied her career best performance. Her success on the first three heights enabled her to make Spartan history. 

Prior to the pole vault, Pena had a fantastic race in the preliminaries of the 100-meter hurdles as she qualified for Saturday's finals with a time of 13.88. Her time established a new school record, breaking her previous mark of 14.04 seconds. She enters the finals as the seventh seed.

The All-American honors came in Pena's second outdoor championships. Last year, she finished 10^th in the pole vault with a height of 3.70 meters while she also placed 11^th in the 100 hurdles.

Pena will attempt to become a two-time All-American on Saturday in the 100-hurdle finals. That race is set to go off at 2:00 pm.