Washington's Scott Roth jumps American leading 18-6.75 (5.66m) to highlight UW Indoor Preview...

SEATTLE--The 2010 indoor track & field series at the Dempsey Indoor facility kicked off in grand fashion Saturday at the UW Indoor Preview meet, thanks to outstanding performances by Washington's Scott Roth (left/photo courtesy University of Washington) in the pole vault, and on the track by Alistair Cragg of Ireland, and Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific, among others.

Roth, who jumped 18-0.5 at last month's Purple/Gold intrasquad meet, cleared 5.66 meters/18-6.75 on his first attempt to become the American leader in this young season. and jump the second highest mark in the world, behind France's Renaud Lavillenie, who has cleared 5.82/19-1.

Roth then took three shots at 5.71/18-8.75, with his second being the closest.

Roth, the 2009 NCAA runner-up, cleared 18-1 on his second attempt and as the last remaining competitor had the bar raised to 18-6 ¾.

He went over on his first try, just grazing the bar and celebrated mid-air. His mark is also the ninth-best in Pac-10 history in a conference that has produced some of the world's best. Only two-time World Champion and Olympian Brad Walker has gone higher as a Husky.

"I felt pretty loose when I got on the runway," Roth said, thanks possibly to having run the 60-meter dash earlier in the day. "I can't ask for a better way to start the season. I'm feeling healthy, in really good shape, and I'm vaulting well, so I'm excited."

UPDATE: Here's a link to the video of his clearance, along with an interview.

On the track, Ireland's Alistair Cragg, a former NCAA champion from the University of Arkansas, and a two time Irish Olympian in the 5000, led former Iona All American Tim Bayley across the line in the men's mile, winning in a time of 3:59.42, with Bayley making a late charge at Cragg. Bayley clocked 3:59.58 in the runner-up spot.

Here's the video, courtesy runnerspace.com



Later in the meet, Cragg won the 3000 in a time of 7:54.88, defeating Michael Nicks (8:03.37) and former Stanford standout Jonathan Pierce (8:03.76).

In the women's distance medley relay (1200-400-800-1600) Jessica Pixler, the reigning NCAA Division II indoor mile champ and two time NCAA D II cross country queen, stormed the anchor leg to lead Seattle Pacific to victory over Stanford, as the Falcons ran a school record time of 11:32.23 to earn an automatic berth in the NCAA D II championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico in March.

Jane Larson, Crystal Sims, and Lisa Anderberg preceded Pixler on their school record run.

“That was our goal was to get the automatic qualifying mark,” Falcons head coach Karl Lerum said. “That was an outstanding first effort for Jessica on the track after coming down from the cross country distance. Lisa looked great, Jane had a strong start for us, and it was fun to see Crystal in her first event as an SPU athlete.

“We’re obviously pleased,” Lerum added. “But we’ve almost come to expect that from this bunch.”

The complete results from the University of Washington Indoor Preview meet can be accessed here.