Gruver clears No. 2 collegiate indoor pole vault, McLaughlin runs No. 3 World U20 400-meter time in history

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Whether it was by land or by air, a pair of Kentucky standouts delivered must-see performances Saturday at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships at Texas A&M.

Junior Olivia Gruver, the reigning NCAA Division 1 women’s outdoor pole vault champion, achieved the second-highest indoor clearance in collegiate history at 15 feet, 3.75 inches (4.67m) to eclipse the 2015 SEC meet record of 15-3.50 (4.66m) by former Arkansas star Sandi Morris.

Freshman Sydney McLaughlin made her indoor conference debut a memorable one, clocking a world-leading 50.97 seconds in the women’s 400, elevating to third on the World U20 all-time list and the No. 11 indoor collegiate performer in history. INTERVIEW

“Coming in, my first SECs, I just wanted to get the nerves out and shake everything off. Me and (coach Edrick Floreal) just talked about going out and running my race and qualifying,” said McLaughlin, who split 24.15 seconds for the first lap.

“I felt really good running the race and I’m excited to see what (Sunday) is going to bring.”

McLaughlin trails only Sanya Richards-Ross (50.82) and Shaunae Miller-Uibo (50.88) in World U20 indoor history. Miller-Uibo set the collegiate freshman record in winning the 2013 NCAA Division 1 indoor title.

“It’s a good thought, but mostly it’s just me running my race. It’s my first SECs and I’m just trying to score points for my team,” McLaughlin said. “We’re all out here just doing our best and regardless of time or place, as long as I go out there (Sunday) and give it everything I have, I think I’ll be satisfied.”

Gruver was elated over her performance, which included a personal-best clearance down to her last attempt at 15-3.75, but knows she has a legitimate opportunity to challenge the collegiate indoor record of 15-7 (4.75m) set in 2015 by Stephen F. Austin’s Demi Payne. INTERVIEW

“I was nervous, obviously, but I took a deep breath and I just tried to push that away. I knew I could do it. I just relaxed myself and I pushed myself to do what I knew how to do,” said Gruver, who ascended to No. 7 in the world this year, including fourth among Americans.

“The second attempt (at 15-7.25), I felt really, really good and I also got on new poles, so it just shows me that everything I’m doing at practice is working out.”

The last time Gruver competed at Rhonda and Frosty Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium, she placed third at last year’s NCAA Division 1 indoor final with a 14-5.25 (4.40m) clearance. She improved to 14-9.25 (4.50m) to capture the outdoor championship in June and her stock has only continued to rise this year.

“It’s always great to compete at the same venue as NCAAs. This is my second time here and now I’m more confident with it and NCAAs is going to be really, really good,” Gruver said. “I just keep getting stronger and stronger, and more confident with myself, so it’s going to be a good year.”

Missouri senior Karissa Schweizer captured the women’s 3,000 title in 9:00.56, lowering the 2014 meet record of 9:10.48 by former Florida star Cory McGee. Schweizer set the collegiate record Feb. 3 when she clocked 8:41.60 at the NYRR Millrose Games.

Georgia junior Denzel Comenentia became the No. 11 performer in collegiate history in the men’s weight throw, improving to third in the world this year with a lifetime-best 77-9.50 (23.71m).

Fellow Georgia junior Kate Hall equaled her collegiate-leading 21-9.50 (6.64m) in the final round of the women’s long jump to remain tied for 10th in the world this year. Senior teammate Keturah Orji only took three attempts to prepare for the triple jump final Sunday and placed second at 21-5.25 (6.53m).

Texas A&M senior Will Williams won the men’s long jump on his first attempt with a leap of 26-2.75 (7.99m) to improve to No. 4 in NCAA Division 1 this year and prevail against Florida standouts Grant Holloway and KeAndre Bates.

Arkansas fifth-year senior Taliyah Brooks prevailed in the women’s pentathlon with a season-best 4,422 points, in addition to qualifying for the 60 hurdles final in 8.08. Georgia sophomore Louisa Grauvogel enjoyed a lifetime-best 4,312 points, improving to No. 3 among collegiate performers behind Kansas State sophomore Nina Schultz (4,502) and Brooks.

Cameron Griffith and Jack Bruce took the top two spots for Arkansas in the men’s 3,000 final in 7:54.19 and 7:54.95. Griffith will compete in the 3,000 at the NCAA indoor final and Bruce will race the 5,000.

Alabama sophomore Shelby McEwen cleared 7-4.25 (2.24m) to secure victory in the men’s high jump based on fewer attempts over Georgia sophomore Darius Carbin.

Florida senior Lloydricia Cameron won the women’s shot put title with a mark of 57-11 (17.65m).

LSU junior Kortnei Johnson equaled the No. 3 time in the world this year in the women’s 200 prelims, clocking 22.88.

Arkansas leads the women’s competition with 41 points, followed by Georgia at 38 and Florida with 29. Florida holds a narrow 30.5 to 28 advantage over Alabama in the men’s competition, with Georgia at 26 and Arkansas at 24.