Irwin repeats as men’s champion, sets event record with 19-1.50 (5.83m) clearance; Grove outlasts Rhodes-Johnigan to win women’s competition

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Andrew Irwin continues to raise the bar and Wednesday’s performance at the Capital Square Pole Vault couldn’t have come at a better time for the reigning USATF Indoor champion in preparation for his toughest challenge of the year Saturday at the 110th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

Irwin, representing Arkansas Vault Club, soared past the event record with a first-attempt clearance at 19 feet, 1.50 inches (5.83m) to repeat as men’s champion. Bjorn Otto of Germany twice cleared 19-0.25 (5.80m) indoors in Des Moines, the last time in 2015.

Emily Grove and Annie Rhodes-Johnigan both cleared 14-11.50 (4.56m) in the women’s competition, with Grove securing her first Capital Square title based on making the winning height on her first attempt. Rhodes-Johnigan achieved the clearance on her second try.

IRWIN'S RECORD VAULT | GROVE'S WINNING VAULT | INTERVIEWS

Grove and Irwin both earned the winner’s prize of $1,000.

Irwin produced the only third-attempt clearance of the whole competition, getting over the bar at 18-8.75 (5.71m) to outlast Devin King and Cole Walsh.

Irwin used that momentum to clear 19-1.50 on his first try with plenty of room to spare, marking the fifth consecutive competition in which he surpassed 19 feet. He missed three attempts at what would have been a personal-best 19-4.25 (5.90m).

Irwin, Sam Kendricks and South Dakota junior Chris Nilsen – the only three Americans with 19-foot clearances this year – are scheduled to square off for the first time Saturday at Drake Stadium in the World Showdown men’s elite invitational pole vault.

King and Walsh both cleared 18-5.25 (5.62m), with King finishing second Wednesday on fewer attempts. Austin Miller was fourth at 17-6.50 (5.35m) and Garrett Starkey placed fifth at 17-0.75 (5.20m).

Kortney Ross was the only female athlete to clear 14-9 (4.50m) on her first attempt, but couldn’t join Grove and Rhodes-Johnigan in successfully making 14-11.50.

Megan Clark cleared 14-1.25 (4.30m) to finish fourth.