NCAA Preview: Men's/Women's Pole Vault

Mar 11, 2015 by James Cameron

Shawn Barber, Akron

The new NCAA record holder is the hands-down favorite in this year’s pole vault competition. The Akron junior, who was runner-up at the outdoor championships last spring, has yet to lose a vault competition this year and will enter the weekend with an incredible amount of momentum and confidence. With a PR of 5.90m, it is unlikely Barber will fall to anybody in the NCAA this year.

Demi Payne, Stephen F. Austin

A dramatic season for Payne resulted in her topping the NCAA list and going into this national weekend as the favorite for the women’s pole vault. Early season battles between the SFA junior and Arkansas’ Sandi Morris resulted in the ladies swapping the top marks ever set in the NCAA. However, Payne soared to incredible heights at the Lobo Collegiate Open in January, setting the current NCAA record at 4.75m. She also went on to win the USATF Indoor Championships, solidifying herself as the top vaulter in the nation.

Andrew Irwin, Arkansas

Irwin, who is currently ranked #2 in the NCAA with a 5.75m clearance, is Barber’s biggest threat moving into the weekend. The Razorback will be competing on his home turf, which will allow him to vault with comfort and confidence with his hometown fans cheering him on. Irwin placed 4th at the 2013 Outdoor and 2014 Indoor Championships, but failed to secure a clearance at the 2014 Outdoor meet in the spring, so he will have to shake off that misstep in order to have a shot at Barber.

Jake Blankenship, Tennessee

Blankenship is no stranger to fierce competition, as he had some intense vault battles this indoor season. The SEC Championships brought excitement to the pole vault pits as Blankenship finished runner-up by one attempt to Arkansas’ Irwin. At the Tyson Invitational, both Irwin and Barber joined Blankenship in a tense battle, Barber winning the meet in an NCAA record, and Irwin pulling away late with some great first clearances. If Blankenship is able to capitalize on the field’s faults early on, he should be a top 3 finisher.

Michael Woepse, UCLA

Inconsistency has tossed the Bruin senior in and out of his groove throughout the years, but when Woepse is on, he tends to be unstoppable. His charismatic and intense emotions throughout his vault competitions are quite energetic, and as the Woepse enters his final indoor championships, he is someone to watch out for. His PR of 5.62m has yet to be matched by Woepse this season, but a clearance like that, historically, would put him high up the leaderboard.

Sandi Morris, Arkansas

Arkansas’ Sandi Morris flew onto the scene early January with a 4.61m, good enough for a new NCAA record. After Payne soon after stole the record, Morris retaliated with a 4.65m clearance at the Razorback Invitational, and then bettered her PR yet again at the SEC Champs with a 4.66m clearance. Add in her confidence and demeanor with the comfort of home track advantage, and Sandi Morris is a strong contender for the NCAA title.

Stephanie Richartz, Illinois

The senior from Illinois enters the weekend tied for 3rd in the nation with a height of 4.39m. She has had a quiet indoor season this year, easily winning her early meets with very low clearances. She has built up momentum this past February, ending her regular season with a victory at Big Ten’s. With her final indoor championship meet on the horizon, Richartz will have to capitalize on early clearances if she wants a shot at Morris and Payne.

Jax Thoirs, Washington

The Scottish national record holder enters the meet in a three-way tie for 9th place, but his personal best of 5.61m would be good enough for 4th in the nation. However, Thoirs, who placed 4th at the Commonwealth Games this past summer, has yet to clear 18 ft. since the UW Indoor Preview back on January 17th. He placed runner up at the prestigious UW Husky Classic and won the MPSF pole vault title with a 5.48m clearance. His numbers don't jump off the page, but Thoirs out-jumped several conference champions in a very intense vault competiton just two weeks ago.

Desiree Freier, Arkansas

With veteran Sandi Morris at the helm, the Arkansas freshman will use this meet as a great learning opportunity as the youngster enters the meet ranked 8th in the nation with a 4.33m clearance. Freier will also have the opportunity to jump on her own track, giving her the advantage of comfort and familiarity with the venue and equipment, as well as having the hometown pride.