Morris wins for third straight year at hometown event, with Wooten prevailing in his debut in South Carolina; Washington State signee Cunliffe holds her own against professionals, clearing at least 14 feet for fifth time during outdoor season, seventh occasion this year overall

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Sandi Morris continued to be not only a gracious, but successful host Saturday at the third annual Liberty Bridge Jump Off in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.

Morris, a 2010 Greenville High graduate, won the women’s pole vault competition for the third year in a row, clearing 15 feet, 7 inches (4.75m).

Morris prevailed in the inaugural event in 2017, also clearing 15-7, before ascending to 16-2.75 (4.95m) last year.

Texas A&M’s Jacob Wooten and Southeastern Louisiana’s Devin King both cleared 18-2.75 (5.56m) in the men’s competition, with Wooten prevailing on fewer attempts. Sam Kendricks, last year’s men’s winner, didn’t return to defend his title since he was vaulting at the Diamond League meet in Lausanne, Switzerland.

American professionals Tray Oates and Austin Miller, along with Baylor freshman KC Lightfoot, all cleared 17-11 (5.46m).

Former Tennessee standout Chase Brannon and Akron graduate Matthew Ludwig both cleared 17-6.50 (5.35m).

Behind Morris, fellow American professionals Kristen Brown and Emily Grove cleared 14-11.50 (4.56m), with Canada’s Anicka Newell placing fourth with a 14-7.50 (4.46m) clearance.

Former San Diego State All-American Bonnie Draxler and Katherine Pitman, an NCAA Division 3 champion at Ithaca, cleared 14-3.25 (4.35m), along with West Seattle WA graduate and Washington State signee Chloe Cunliffe.

Arkansas graduate Megan Zimlich cleared 13-9.25 (4.20m) to place eighth.

Cunliffe, representing Northwest Pole Vault Club and Seattle Speed Track Club, is scheduled to compete again next Saturday in Chula Vista, Calif., at the USATF Last Chance Qualifier in preparation to vault July 28 in Des Moines, Iowa at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

Cunliffe, who cleared 14 feet for the seventh time this year including the fifth outdoors, has already achieved the qualifying standard for nationals based on her 14-9 (4.50m) national high school indoor record March 17 in Washington.