Year of the Vault

By Sean Collins

It’s the #YearoftheVault! Here’s Why?

When it comes to PA track and field, the pole vault is one of the most varying events in terms of talent level. Sometimes, athletes like Chris Williams are attempting state records as the last event of the state meet (was vaulting as the 4x4s finished), while other years a height of 15-0 is far and away the best in the state. On a more general note, pole vault is possibly the most technical event of all in our sport. It requires daring, concentration, strength, body control, and technical precision. In almost all other events, someone can “out-effort” the rest to win the competition. But pole vault is different, which makes it so impressive that 2015 indoor has provided records in almost all high school and collegiate categories.

2015’s first records were set by collegiate duo Demi Payne of Stephen F. Austin and Sandi Morris of Arkansas. After starting the year with the NCAA record around 4.50m (14-11 ish), Payne and Morris both broke the record multiple times during the year. Morris ended with a personal best of 4.66m (15-3.5) as the second best collegiate vaulter in history. This mark was easily overshadowed though by the incredible season of Payne. Payne broke the NCAA at least 4 times this indoor season, ending with a PR of 15-7, 4.75m. What’s even more impressive is Payne not only set the collegiate record, but she also won the USATF indoor championships beating Olympic medalist Jenn Suhr.

 

Payne wasn’t the only collegiate record holder at the end of 2015 though. University of Akron’s Shawn Barber became the first collegian to ever vault over 5.90m by going 5.91m (19-4.75) and becoming the first collegian ever to attempt 6.00m. While his attempts at 6.00m failed, attempting such a height stop is a huge accomplishment and is a challenge to the collegiatevaulters of the future to break the 6 meter barrier. And sadly we won’t be seeing Shawn Barber in the red, white and blue as he is a Canadian, but expect to see Barber in World Championship and Olympic finals for next 10+ years.

 

The next men to challenge that 6 meter barrier might just be a trio of high school vaulters. Deakin Volz of Indiana and Paulo Benavides of New Mexico who traded the National High School record multiple times this season. Early in the season DeakinVolz stole the national record from then record holder Devin King (now graduated and jumping for Southeast Louisiana) at a height of 17-10.75. A mere 3 hours later, Paulo Benavides took to the runway in New Mexico and beat out Volz’s height by a quarter inch, jumping 17-11 stealing the record away. Finally,Volz and Benavides competed face to face at the Armory at NBIN. That day, Volz got the better of Benavides and the National High School record at 17-11.25.

 

The final man in this high school trio is Armand Duplantis, a freshman national record holder at 16-9.5. More than Volz and Benavides, Duplantis is the future of USA pole vault. I expect this man to be the first high schooler over 18 feet. He might even do it as a junior. Talking about him as a Superman type in the vault seems extreme, but his freshman year heights are incredible. His heights, and the duo of national record holders have overshadowed the other 17 foot vaulters in a way that’s unfair to these master athletes, but deservedly for those three.

The real question might be: “What in the world does this have to do with PA track and field?”

On the surface, nothing. But, PA had Ryan Wilkes of Valley View jump 16-6 at NBIN and gain zero national attention. Wilkes’ jump appears to be #2 all-time indoors in PA, and tied #2 indoor and outdoor combined. Wilkes and the rest of the #YearoftheVault is inspiring a huge number of vaulters to pick up this sport. We may not see the results in the next year, but just wait until 2018 when the freshmen from this season take the stage as seniors with all the inspiration these athletes have given them.

 

Vault high. I dare you.