UA alum Sandi Morris captures World Ultimate pole vault title

BUDAPEST – Arkansas alum Sandi Morris captured the women’s pole vault title and $150,000 in prize money at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship with a clearance of 16 feet, 0.75 inches (4.90) on Saturday at Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre in Hungary.

The 34-year-old Morris added an Ultimate title to an impressive resume that includes two World Indoor titles along with four silver medals at World Outdoor Championships and an Olympic silver medal.

“I finally jumped high enough to take the win and it was enough because sometimes you give it your all and it’s not enough,” noted Morris. “Sometimes you get out-jumped or you finish second on misses, which has happened to me a few times in my career. I gave it my all, I jumped 4.90m and this is my first time back in the 4.90s in six years.”

“I think a lot of people expect that once you reach a certain age, this is when you're supposed to retire but then they never find out what they could have continued to do in those years. I had a couple of rough seasons but I just felt like there was something more there that I could still tap into, I am really glad that I was right and that I did not give up.”

In addition UA alums also produced a pair of third-place and one fourth-place finish during the second day of action in the three-day event.

Nickisha Pryce posted a time of 49.56 for third place in the women’s 400m, the first track final on the day, while Chris Bailey finished fourth in 44.27 in the men’s 400m. Nikki Hiltz clocked 3:58.16 for third place in the women’s 1,500m final.

Following $150,000 for each event winner, prize money awarded the following places include $75,000 for second place, $40,000 for third, $25,000 for fourth, and $16,000 for fifth.

Opening the women’s pole vault with a first attempt make at 14-9 (4.50), Morris needed two attempts at 15-5 (4.70) and three attempts to get over 15-9 (4.80). Morris then passed at 15-11 (4.85).

With the bar at 16-0.75 (4.90) and three vaulters remaining, Morris moved into first place when she cleared the bar on her second attempt to equal her season best. American collegian Hana Moll joined Morris with a clearance on her third attempt while Angelica Moser of Switzerland missed three attempts at the height.

When Moll, who won the recent Diamond League Final, missed a third attempt at 16-2.75 (4.95), Morris had the victory and made one attempt at 16-4.75 (5.00) after two misses at 16-2.75.

Tina Šutej, another Arkansas alum in the pole vault competition, placed seventh with a 15-5 clearance.

“I’m out there competing against athletes who are 10 years younger than me or even more,” Morris stated. “It’s crazy but I think it’s really special when you see generations overlap. I also get to witness the sport evolve, including something like this Ultimate Championship.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years, I have two World Indoor gold medals but all of my outdoor medals at this level have been silver. Tonight I have the honor of becoming an outdoor champion and I'm excited about the future."

Racing in lane 9, Pryce charged to the finish to secure third place in 49.56 behind a 49.07 for Marileidy Paulina and 49.28 by Henrietta Jaeger while finishing ahead of a 49.91 for Lieke Klaver.

Bailey also used a strong finish in the men’s 400m in claiming fourth place in 44.27 over a 44.28 for Matthew Hudson-Smith and just behind a 44.23 by Jereem Richards in third. Busang Kebinatshipi won the race in a Botswana national record of 43.39 with American Rai Benjamin runner-up in 44.15.

Hiltz battled for the lead heading into the final lap of the 1,500m. A 3:58.16 left Hiltz trailing a 3:57.55 for Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska and a 3:57.72 for Georgia Hunter Bell of Great Britain. Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu placed fourth in 3:58.44.

"This race felt like we were running it forever but it was my kind of a race with a slow start and fast finish,” said Hiltz. “This is my highest ranking at a global final and if there were medals I would win a bronze. I am super happy about it.

“Being third here is nothing to be ashamed of. I had a good season but my last couple of races haven't been my best. I have enough experience that going into the final I knew anything was possible and today I woke up really confident. Each year I build on the previous one. I was seventh at the Olympic Games, fifth at the World Championships and third here. I hope to stand on the top of the podium one day.”