Brad Walker fourth in dicey conditions in Shanghai Diamond League meet...

SHANGHAI, China--Competing in very tricky and rainy conditions, University of Washington alum Brad Walker (left/photo by Paul Merca) finished fourth in the men's pole vault at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting Saturday night.

Opening at a modest height of 18-2 1/2 (5.55m), Walker, the American record holder in this event, needed three attempts to move on.

He missed on his first attempt at 18-6 1/2 (5.65m), then passed to the next height of 18-9 1/4 (5.72m) where he missed his two remaining jumps.

Yang Yansheng of China was the surprise winner of the event, with a jump of 18-6 1/2, with Germany's Bjorn Otto second at the same height. Malte Mohr of Germany was third with a best of 18-2 1/2.

In the women's discus, Washington alum Aretha Thurmond finished sixth with a best of 191-7 (58.41m) on her second attempt of the day.

Thurmond fouled her remaining four attempts after opening with a toss of 180-5 (55.01m).

Croatia's Sandra Perkovic took the victory with a meet and national record throw of 223-11 (68.24m), with American record holder and reigning Olympic champion Stephanie Brown-Trafton second in 210-7 (64.20m).

Complete results of the Shanghai Diamond League meet are available here.