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Nate Richartz, Kortney Ross Rise to the Occasion at Vaulter Club Vaulter Magazine National Championships

Published by
DyeStat.com   Aug 2nd 2020, 5:27pm
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Both athletes representing Risen Performance in Arizona prevail in elite competitions, with Richartz improving on his own facility record at Big Red Barn with 18-6.50 (5.65m) effort; Ross achieves season-best 14-7.25 (4.45m), as several vaulters build momentum ahead of American Track League events in Georgia

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

They train together, in some cases live together, and spend endless hours in Arizona at their respective backyard facilities.

But when the pole vaulters from Arizona Pole Vault Academy and Risen Performance get together for actual events with bragging rights, records and financial bonuses at stake, all friendships and loyalties take a backseat to the competitive spirit and pursuit of excellence showcased by all the American professional athletes under the guidance of coaches Dean Starkey and Nick Hysong.

Such was the case Saturday in the men’s elite section at the Vaulter Club Vaulter Magazine National Championships at the Big Red Barn in Sun City, Calif., with former Notre Dame standout Nate Richartz – representing Risen Performance – eclipsing the facility record he previously set June 27, clearing 18 feet 6.50 inches (5.65m) on his second attempt to capture the title and elevate to No. 7 in the U.S. and equal the No. 14 outdoor performer in the world this year.

INTERVIEWS

Kortney Ross, who also trains with Hysong at Risen Performance, produced a clutch 14-7.25 (4.45m) clearance on her third try to capture the championship in the women’s elite section, equaling the No. 6 outdoor mark in the U.S. and match the No. 20 performer in the world this year.

Although it was just Ross remaining at the final three heights in the women’s elite section, including three attempts at a female facility record 14-10 (4.52m), the men’s elite competition continued to almost midnight Pacific time, with Richartz competing against Risen Performance teammate and Nike professional Cole Walsh and roommate Tray Oates, representing Arizona Pole Vault Academy.

After Oates cleared 18-0.50 (5.50m) on his first try to take the lead, Richartz responded on his third attempt to extend the competition. Walsh, competing in his first event of the summer after placing 10th at last year’s World Championships, cleared 18-0.50 on his second attempt to remain in contention.

Richartz, who cleared 18-4.75 (5.61m) at the Vaulter Club Vaulter Magazine Big Red Barn Stars and Stripes meet, surpassed that mark by equaling the same height he achieved Feb. 14 to place ninth at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.

Richartz was looking to become the first athlete to achieve a 19-foot clearance at the Big Red Barn, which would have earned him a $500 bonus, but he was unsuccessful on three attempts at 19-0.50 (5.80m). The height would have surpassed his personal-best 18-8.25 (5.70m) from the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and elevated Richartz to No. 6 in the U.S. and equal to eighth in the world this year.

The Arizona-based athletes will be taking their talents to Georgia in the coming weeks to compete at a series of American Track League events at Life University in Marietta, again looking to challenge the 19-foot barrier.

Keaton Daniel, an offseason transfer from Fresno Pacific to Kentucky who trains with AZPVA, joined Scott Marshall of Risen Performance in clearing 17-6.50 (5.35m) and taking attempts at 18-0.50.

Taylor Starkey, a Casteel High graduate and Kansas signee who represented AZPVA by winning the girls high school title Friday, returned to competition Saturday to again clear 13-1.50 (4.00m) and place second behind Ross.

Starkey needed a third-attempt clearance at 12-7.50 (3.85m) to remain in the competition, then secured second by clearing 13-1.50 on her first try.

Starkey had three more unsuccessful attempts at the Arizona prep record 13-7.25 (4.15m), but was still able to finish ahead of collegiate athletes Hanne Borstlap from Princeton, along with Sevanna Hanson and Tommi Hintnaus representing Arizona State.

Borstlap cleared 12-1.50 (3.70m) and 12-7.50 both on her first attempts to place third, with Hanson needing two tries at 12-1.50 before clearing 12-7.50 on her first opportunity to finish fourth, and Hintnaus placing fifth at 12-1.50.

Earlier in the day, meet official and one of the top Masters athletes in the world, Kirk Bentz, was able to build on his success from the Vaulter Club Vaulter Magazine Stars and Stripes meet.

Bentz, 65, cleared 11-3.75 (3.45m) on his third attempt to improve on the June 27 mark of 10-7 (3.23m).



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