More than 2,000 spectators lined the ballrooms of the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev. this weekend to watch hundreds of pole vaulters, including four Blue Devils, compete in the National Pole Vault Summit.
"This meet is really just a fun meet for everybody," assistant coach Ryan Dall said. "They put pits in two ballrooms-five pits and runways in each ballroom-and the pole vaulters get to jump in front of a big crowd."
Junior Ian Cassidy led the men with a jump of 15 feet and 11 inches, which qualified him for the IC4A Championships in March.
"[Cassidy] had a really good performance in his first meet of the year," Dell said. "He gained a lot of confidence."
Also competing for the men were senior Jon Fay, who jumped 15-3 despite a nagging hamstring injury, and decathlete Tyler Clarke, who matched his season-best with a jump of 14-1.25.
On the women's side, Lara Jones had her best jump of the season at 12-3.5. She also came close on three attempts at the next height of 12-11, which is the mark she will need to reach to be considered for the NCAA Championships.
The pole vaulters will compete next weekend at the Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, while the rest of the track team will resume action at both the Tar Heel Invitational and the Terrier Classic in Boston, Mass.
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