Two-time NCAA outdoor pole vault champ Olivia Gruver announces transfer to University of Washington...

Confirming what had been rumored almost from the time Toby Stevenson was hired in late July as the associate head track & field coach at the University of Washington, two-time NCAA outdoor pole vault champ Olivia Gruver (left/photo by Mike Scott) announced on her Instagram account that she is transferring to the University of Washington to complete her final year of eligibility.

Gruver, who was coached by Stevenson at the University of Kentucky, noted in her post, “…once you’ve made a solid connection with a coach it’s hard to leave that behind.”

Gruver joins four All-American distance runners—Katie Rainsberger, Lilli Burdon, Tanner Anderson, and Mick Stanovsek—who have transferred to the University of Washington since the hiring of Maurica and Andy Powell in June to lead the Husky track and cross country programs.

Gruver comes to Washington with a personal best of 15-3.75 (4.67m), set in winning the SEC indoor championship in February for the Wildcats.

She won the 2018 NCAA pole vault title in Eugene, clearing 14-11 (4.55m), successfully defending the 2017 title that she won with a clearance of 14-9 (4.50m).

Indoors, her best finish at the NCAA championships is a pair of third-place finishes in 2017 and 2018.

Here’s her post on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

I guess I’ve waited long enough to share the news... but I first want to say that the past 3 years have been incredible at UK. The coaches, athletic trainers, and my teammates have made my time there the best I could’ve imagine. But once you’ve made a solid connection with a coach it’s hard to leave that behind. SOOO for my last year I have decided to finish my college eligibility at the University of Washington! I’m so excited for this year and can’t wait to see what this team can do!💜💜 #gohuskies

A post shared by Olivia Gruver (@livgruvvv_) on Sep 6, 2018 at 4:13pm PDT