University of Northern Iowa–The University of Northern Iowa track and field team split up to compete in two different events over the weekend. The Panther throwers headed to the Cornell Open in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where they put together an excellent performance. The rest of the team went to the Jim Duncan Invitational, hosted by Drake University in Des Moines.  UNI took first place in both men’s and women’s pole vault. Senior Daniel Gooris continued his outstanding year with a vault of 16 feet, 6.75 inches to win the event. Jenna Wexter also took first place in the women’s pole vault with a leap of 12 feet, 5.5 inches.

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Air Force had little reason to believe the skinny high school kid from California – with an emphasis on skinny – would have a shot to make the Olympics in the pole vault someday.Cale Simmons admits he isn’t as stout as the typical pole vaulter. He is about 6 feet tall and weighs “a buck-42,” as Falcons pole vault coach Scott Steffan says.“It’s true,” Simmons says with a laugh.“I joke with him that he’s the only vaulter in the country who the pole is bigger than he is,” Steffan said.Simmons may lack bulk, but he has become one of the best pole vaulters in the country for Air Force.At the Texas Relays during the last week of March, Simmons’ vault of 18 feet and a half-inch was a milestone. That tied an academy record. It was the third-best vault in Mountain West history. No Falcon had cleared 18 feet since 2004. Going into this weekend’s events, it was the best mark in the conference and the third best in the nation.“It was probably the coolest 2 seconds of my life,” Simmons said.At Rocklin (Calif.) High School he was vaulting about 16 feet, and Air Force’s coaches certainly didn’t figure he’d be passing the rarified 18-foot mark for the Falcons. And he’s just a junior – the Continue reading →

Missouri pole vaulter Katrine Haarklau vaults for the 3.21 meter 15 centimeter progression during the Tom Botts Invitational at Audrey J. Walton Stadium on Saturday.

As a University of North Carolina decathlete, Joe Hutchinson is accustomed to sprinting, shot putting, throwing the discus and pole vaulting.But this summer, one of the most meaningful athletic experiences of his life will be an easy, 300-meter jog.Hutchinson, a freshman decathlete on UNC’s track and field team and an international student from Melksham, England, will fly home to run the Olympic torch before the games begin in London.Hutchinson, who will carry the torch on May 23 near his hometown, said he is looking forward to representing his country.“A lot of sporting heroes that I loved growing up carried the torch, and now I have the opportunity to carry it,” he said.Cameron Overstreet, a pole vaulter on the track and field team, said Hutchinson is a hard worker.“He is top-ranked in Britain and did a lot of national competitions over there,” Overstreet said.Hutchinson said the torch will be carried by 300 different runners a day for 60 days before the games, and he has the opportunity to purchase the torch he carries as a memento from the occasion.“This is a great honor for Joe and his family,” said Dennis Craddock, head track and field coach, in an email.The director of sports from Continue reading →