HOUSTON — Former Arkansas standout Sandi Morris vaulted into American history with a clearance of 4.93m/16-2 at the American Track League competition in Houston on Saturday afternoon.
One of only two American women to clear a 16-foot bar, Morris now owns the American record and is the second-best performer in the world in the history of the event.
Morris Pole Vault Progressions
Fresh off qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in early July, Morris returned to Fayetteville, Arkansas for continued training with renowned pole vault specialist and Arkansas women’s track and field assistant coach Bryan Compton.
In only her second competition following her pole snap in Ostrava, Morris put on a one woman show from 4.50m/14-9 through 4.93m/16-2 as the lone competitor in the field. Through the event’s entirety (opening height for Morris 4.35m/14-3 1/4) the 2016 USATF outdoor silver medalist posted five perfect first attempt clearances including one at the record-breaking height, faltering just once at 4.80m/15-9.
Morris holds a lifetime best of 4.95m/16-2 3/4 which earned her a gold medal at the 2016 USATF Indoor Championship earlier this year in March.
She heads to Rio with Team USA in early August in the hunt for a spot at the top of the pole vault podium as the current outdoor world leader in the event.
