Brad Walker teams with Kylie Hutson to win Drake Relays Vault in the Mall...

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--While Mountlake Terrace resident and University of Washington graduate Brad Walker (left/photo courtesy Drake University) finished second in the men's competition at the Vault in the Mall competition at the Drake Relays, he and Kylie Hutson combined to win the co-ed team competition Wednesday night.

Walker, the 2007 world champion in the event, cleared 18-1.25 (5.52m) to tie for second, as 2008 US Olympian Derek Miles won the men's competition, clearing 18-5.25 (5.62m).

In the unique format held as part of the Drake Relays meet, ten of the top men's and women's vaulters in the US and Mexico were paired together to created five two-person teams.

Hutson, a Indiana State alum who was ranked #6 in the US last year and had never cleared 15 feet in her career, came through to win the women's individual title, clearing 15-1 (4.60m), 15-3 (4.65m) and 15-5 (4.70m) on consecutive first attempts, before a raucous crowd of about 2500 people at the Jordan Creek Town Center, to give the Hutson/Walker team a combined total of 33-6.25 (10.32m).

"I jumped on her back and let her carry us through the competition," said Walker.  "I sat back and enjoyed her effort. Anytime someone has those personal records its fun to watch. For her to set personal records at really high heights like that is really impressive."

"We were cheering each other on," Hutson commented about the team aspect of the competition.  "We were ready to go and that definitely helped in the competition today."


The Drake Relays recap of the Vault in the Mall can be read here.

Speaking of the Drake Relays, Vancouver's Kara Patterson will open her 2011 season Friday.  Patterson returns to the same venue where she set the American record in the javelin of 218-9 (66.67m).

In other news, here's a link to a piece written by the Oregonian's Ken Goe on Jordan Boase, who was the surprise winner of the 200 meters at the Kansas Relays last Saturday.

Boase, who now trains on the Nike campus under coach John Parks, won the race in 20.72 in less than ideal conditions, beating Olympic silver medalist Darvis "Doc" Patton.

Most of the USA's top discus throwers are in Maui Thursday and Friday for the Altius Track Crew Throwdown at the War Memorial Sports Complex in Wailuku, including Aretha Thurmond and Ian Waltz, who is organizing the competition.

This is the same venue where Suzy Powell set the American record in 2007 of 222-0 (67.67m).

NOTE:  The sports information office at Drake University contributed to this report.