LONDON – NCAA outdoor pole vault record-holder Sandi Morris kept her podium dreams alive, posting three perfect bar clearances on Friday evening in the preliminary round of competition at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London.
Passing on the first height, Morris opened with an easy up-and-over at 4.35m/14-3 1/4 -- a relatively low starting bar for the seasoned professional. She was rewarded for her conservative approach with an established rhythm, leading to two more effortless clearances at 4.50m/14-9 and 4.55m/14-11 1/4, which earned her a trip to the event final.
"I feel experienced," Morris said. "When I was out there today I didn't feel nervous. I felt confident and ready and I plan on carrying that over to the final."
So far this year Morris has reigned supreme as the golden girl of United States pole vaulting. Prior to the world meet she swept both the USATF indoor (March) and outdoor (June) championships decisively. Morris will attempt to add a world gold medal to her endless collection of awards on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. The pole vault finals will air live on NBC. Fans can follow the live results HERE.
Date: Aug. 4-13
Venue: London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Important Link: Meet Central (Schedule, Live Results, IAAF Radio and Athlete Stats)
Broadcast Schedule: NBC (see table below)
Arkansas Entries (12)
• Bahamas – Tamara Myers (Triple Jump)
• Jamaica – Kemoy Campbell (5,000), Omar McLeod (110mH), Kemar Mowatt (400mH) and Clive Pullen (Triple Jump)
• Slovenia – Tina Sutej (Pole Vault)
• Trinidad & Tobago – Sparkle McKnight (400mH)
• USA – Daina Harper (4-x-400m Relay), Andrew Irwin (Pole Vault), Stanley Kebenei (Steeplechase), Jarrion Lawson (Long Jump) and Sandi Morris (Pole Vault)