Hall of Fame

MSUM_Hensel_Jennifer

Jennifer Hensel Jahnke

  • Class
    2009
  • Induction
    2023
  • Sport(s)


Jennifer (Hensel) Jahnke set the bar as a standout pole vaulter and sprinter for Minnesota State University Moorhead during her career from 2005 to 2009.  Jahnke won two national championships in the pole vault, winning the 2007 and 2008 outdoor titles, earned six All-American accolades, won seven NSIC individual titles and was a seven-time Academic All-American. 

Jahnke, a native of Frazee, Minnesota made an immediate impact in the league as she was named the 2006 NSIC Indoor & Outdoor Newcomer of the Year.  That season she was the indoor 55-meter dash champion (7.48) and claimed the pole vault title, clearing 13-1.5. She also placed third nationally in the pole vault, earning her first All-American honor.  During the outdoor season she earned the NSIC’s 200m dash championship (25.94) and another pole vault title (12-5) while finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships.  

In 2007 she was named the NSIC Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of Year while earning the NSIC Championship high point performer at the outdoor championship. She won the indoor (13-2.5) and the outdoor (12-9.5) pole vault championships that season. She placed sixth nationally at the NCAA Indoor Championship before becoming the first NSIC student-athlete to earn a National Championship in the pole vault as she cleared 12-9.5 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2008 she took home her fifth NSIC pole vault title as she cleared 12-10 at the outdoor championships before going on to win her second national championship where she set the NCAA Division II Championship meet record with a vault of 13.2-5. In 2009 she earned her sixth All-American accolade as she took third place at the NCAA Championships.

Jennifer is a Physical Education teacher in Olivia, Minnesota at BOLD High School where is also the head coach of the BOLD/BLHS cross country team and track and field team.  She is married to Matt Jahnke, a former pole vaulter from MSUM and they have three children, Morgan, Katie, and Ashley.