Collegiate outdoor record holder continues pursuit of all-time indoor mark, which could occur competing against professionals in Albuquerque, site of Payne’s historic clearance in 2015

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Olivia Gruver knows that any elite pole vaulter who takes to the runway in a meet this weekend has an incredibly tough act to follow after the memorable performances Saturday of Armand “Mondo” Duplantis’ world record, Sam Kendricks’ American record and Sandi Morris’ world-leading mark.

The University of Washington senior wouldn’t have it any other way, as she continues her preparation to vault against former national champions Jenn Suhr and Morris, along with several other professional athletes this Saturday at the Toyota USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.

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“Last weekend was amazing,” Gruver said. “Watching all of them jump so high really pumped me up. I love watching people achieve their dreams and it just gets me motivated to keep working hard, so I can achieve my dreams as well.”

One of those aspirations continues to be adding the collegiate indoor record to her all-time outdoor mark of 15 feet, 6.25 inches (4.73m) achieved in March at the Stanford Invitational.

Former Stephen F. Austin standout Demi Payne set the collegiate indoor record of 15-7 (4.75m) in 2015 at the Albuquerque Convention Center, where Gruver will vault Saturday and again March 14 at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships.

“Being able to go there before NCAAs is a perfect way to feel out the runway and gain confidence for nationals,” Gruver said. “Jumping at altitude can be different, so being able to try that out will be great.”

Gruver opened her indoor season Jan. 18 at the Washington Indoor Preview, clearing 15-3.50 (4.66m) and taking three attempts at 15-7.25 (4.76m).

The Huskies’ indoor record was just behind a 15-3.75 (4.67m) mark that Gruver achieved competing for Kentucky at the 2018 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships, giving her two of the top four collegiate indoor clearances in history.

“Being able to be taking attempts at 4.76m already has really put it into perspective that the work we have done has really paid off,” Gruver said. “Sometimes when you are putting in hard work, it can be difficult to feel it in practice. But when you can come out and jump high this early in the season, it gives you confidence to continue to work hard and strive for higher heights.”

The last time Gruver competed against Morris and Suhr was in July at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Iowa, placing eighth with a 14-11 (4.55m) clearance.

Although there is no longer the opportunity to qualify for the World Indoor Championships this weekend, following the decision by World Athletics to postpone the meet to next year over health concerns related to the Coronavirus epidemic in China, Gruver knows she will be vaulting against many of the same athletes Saturday as she does in June at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

“I love coming to meets where professionals are competing, like Sandi and Jenn. They create an atmosphere that really pushes me,” Gruver said. “It is also a great preview for the Olympic Trials. Every time I can compete against them I can become better and create a consistency I need to make the team.”

Gruver enters the meet as the No. 3 American performer this year – trailing Morris’ 16-1.25 (4.91m) from Saturday at the 113th NYRR Millrose Games and Suhr’s 15-7 (4.75m) from Jan. 25 in Texas – and equal to sixth in the world.

Although Morris cleared at least 16 feet indoors for the fourth time in her career to set an Armory record, she isn’t taking anyone or anything for granted after being edged by two-time champion Katie Nageotte for the title the last time indoor nationals were held in Albuquerque in 2018.

“The competition in Albuquerque is always great and people usually vault really well there, just like Katie did two years ago,” said Morris, who won indoor championships in 2016 and 2017.

“Jenn is the indoor world record holder and I know she is capable of clearing a big bar at any meet, and with this being an Olympic year, there are a lot of young vaulters, like Olivia, who are motivated to make their mark.”

Competing against Morris and Suhr, a seven-time indoor champion, Gruver is inspired to vault in the underdog role for once this season, since she is a heavy favorite to capture the NCAA Division 1 title in March.

As for her pursuit of eclipsing Payne’s collegiate indoor record, Gruver will continue with the same approach she always has by taking it one bar at a time.

“I think any weekend is a great chance to jump high, but with this being a competitive meet, it might be what I need to take my jumps to the next level,” Gruver said. “However, you cannot jump the collegiate record without jumping the bars before it, so I have to focus on that first.”