After both extending title streaks at USATF Championships in Iowa, Kendricks and Morris triumph again at inaugural street vault in Nebraska; Kistler, Shepler secure victories in high school competitions

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Having won street or mall vaults together two years ago in Iowa and last summer in South Carolina, it seemed only fitting Thursday that reigning U.S. national pole vault champions Sam Kendricks and Sandi Morris continue the trend by sweeping the men’s and women’s elite competitions at the inaugural Capitol District Vault in Omaha, Nebraska.

Kendricks cleared 19 feet, 0.25 inches (5.90m) and Morris made 15-9 (4.80m) to both earn the $2,500 winner’s prizes, courtesy of the Omaha Sports Commission.

Kendricks, a six-time U.S. outdoor winner, prevailed against two-time NCAA Division 1 champion Chris Nilsen of South Dakota on a tiebreaker after both athletes cleared 19-0.25 on their first attempts.

“This is all about competition, and the fact is we jump better together, so it brings out the best in both of us,” said Kendricks, who set the American record Saturday by clearing 19-10.50 (6.06m) at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Tonight was more about a show than jumping high, but we were able to come out and jump the Olympic standard as well, so we accomplished both. The rest of the year is salt and this is pepper. It adds spice to the season before I head back over to Europe and get prepared for the World Championships.”

Kendricks was clear on his first six heights, before he and Nilsen both missed all three attempts at 19-4.25 (5.90m). Nilsen needed second attempts on two earlier bars, resulting in him finishing second.

Both athletes made history by becoming the first vaulters to clear 19 feet on Nebraska soil.

“We’re like prize fighters and we want to set something in stone, whether it’s a victory, record, great impression,” Kendricks said. “This is our lasting gift to Nebraska.”

Akron graduate Matthew Ludwig, the 2017 Division 1 outdoor champion, cleared 18-4.25 (5.60m) on his second attempt to place third and Samford graduate Tray Oates – the North American Pole Vaulting Championships street vault winner July 19 in Clovis, Calif. – made the height on his third try to finish fourth.

Southeastern Louisiana graduate Devin King and Scott Houston, the 2018 U.S. indoor champion, cleared 18-0.25 (5.50m) to place fifth and sixth, with U.S. outdoor runner-up Cole Walsh making 17-8.50 (5.40m) to finish seventh.

After clearing 15-9 on her second try, Morris – a three-time U.S. outdoor winner – took three attempts at a world-leading 16-2 (4.93m). It marked her second street vault victory this year, along with July 6 at the Liberty Bridge Jump Off, the annual event she hosts in Greenville, S.C.

“The energy out here was great. There were a couple of thousand people that came through here throughout the day and hopefully we created some new fans who will come out and watch us again in the future,” said Morris, who cleared at least 15-9 for the third consecutive meet.

“Physically I was a little tired (after competing Sunday at U.S. nationals), in addition to the fact that I picked up a cold heading into USAs. But the crowd definitely lifted me up. It was electric down here.”

South Dakota graduate Emily Grove, who placed fourth at U.S. nationals, cleared a lifetime-best 15-5 (4.70m) on her second attempt to finish runner-up to Morris.

Arkansas graduate and reigning NCAA outdoor champion Tori Hoggard took third by clearing 14-5.25 (4.40m) on her third try.

Hoggard’s twin sister, fellow Arkansas graduate and four-time Division 1 indoor and outdoor title-holder Lexi Jacobus finished fourth by clearing 13-7.25 (4.15m), as did San Diego State alum Kortney Ross to take fifth.

Chloe Cunliffe, a West Seattle High graduate represented Seattle Speed Track Club and Northwest Pole Vault Club, didn’t clear the opening height in the elite competition. Cunliffe, the national high school indoor and outdoor record holder, was looking to tie the all-time prep mark with her 10th career 14-foot clearance.

Lianne Kistler, the national sophomore class record holder representing Ballard WA and Northwest Pole Vault Club, secured victory in the girls high school event by clearing 13-9 (4.19m).

Dalton Shepler, a junior at Butler Senior OH, and Gothenburg NE graduate Tyce Hruza were the only athletes in the boys high school competition to surpass 16 feet. Shepler prevailed based on clearing the winning height on his first attempt, compared to Hruza making the bar on his second try.