Ellis takes down Veith's record, elevates to No. 6 indoor performer

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Erica Ellis, a junior at Gates Chili NY, shared the spotlight Saturday at the sixth annual Akron Pole Vault Convention with several of the country's top collegiate and professional vaulters.

Ellis, competing unattached because she is not representing the Rochester-based school this winter, cleared a national junior class indoor record 14 feet, 1.25 inches (4.30m) on her third attempt to win the women's competition over Akron freshman Abby Helminiak and her 13-7.25 (4.15m) clearance.

Ellis, who trains with world indoor record holder Jenn Suhr and her husband Rick Suhr, eclipsed the 2006 junior class mark of 14 feet (4.27m) set by Katie Veith of Homestead IN.

Lancaster NY graduate Mary Saxer still holds the indoor state record of 14-2 (4.32m) from 2005. Ellis, a two-time New York indoor state champion, elevated to the No. 6 all-time prep performer.

Rachel Baxter of Anaheim Canyon CA still holds the national junior class outdoor record at 14-3 (4.34m) from 2016.

American Katie Nageotte repeated as women's elite champion by clearing 14-11.5 (4.56m), the second-highest indoor clearance in the world so far this year.

Akron junior Matthew Ludwig, the reigning NCAA Division 1 outdoor champion, prevailed in a vault-off against three-time NCAA winner for the Zips and three-time Pole Vault Convention champ Shawn Barber. Both athletes cleared 17-6.50 (5.35m) and Ludwig cleared 17-8.50 (5.40m) to break the tie against Barber, the 2015 IAAF World Outdoor champion representing Canada.

Former Cornell standout Peter Roach, representing Apex Vaulting, won the men's competition with a clearance of 16-10.75 (5.15m).