Defending champ Brad Walker places fourth at Drake Relays Pole Vault in the Mall...
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--University of Washington alum Brad Walker (left/photo courtesy Drake Relays), the defending US Olympic Trials champion, finished in a tie for fourth at the Drake Relays Pole Vault in the Mall at the Jordan Creek Town Center Wednesday night.
Walker, who was the defending champion in this event, and previous meet record holder at 18-9 1/4 (5.72m) finished tied for fourth this year with Mark Hollis as each cleared a height of 18-0.5 (5.50m) on their second attempts. Both failed to clear 18-4.5 (5.60m). Steve Lewis, who finished fifth in London, was sixth on Wednesday night clearing a height of 17-6.5 (5.35m) on his final attempt.
Bjorn Otto of Germany, the 2012 men’s silver medalist at the indoor World Championships and at the London Olympics, cleared a height of 19-0.25 (5.80m) on his final try to claim the victory over France's Renaud Lavillenie, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, and set the new event record. He then attempted 19-2.25 (5.85m), but missed on all three attempts.
Lavillenie took second with a jump of 18-8 1/4 (5.70m), followed by US indoor champ Jordan Scott at 18-4 1/2 (5.60m).
Cuba's Olympic silver medalist Yarisley Silva won the women's competition with a jump of 15-9 3/4 (4.82m), to also set a new meet record.
NOTE: The Drake Relays contributed to this report.
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