Katie Nageotte advances to pole vault finals on opening day of Oregon22 Worlds...
EUGENE--Former Pullman resident and defending Olympic champion Katie Nageotte (Paul Merca photo) easily advanced to the finals in the women's pole vault with a one and done effort, clearing 14-9 (4.50m) on her only attempt of the day to highlight competition at the first day of the World Athletics Outdoor Championships at Historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon Friday.
Nageotte passed the first two heights of 13-9.25 (4.20m) and 14-3.25 (4.35m) before clearing 14-9 (4.50m), which turned out to be the height that whittled the field.
After her one jump, she and her coach, Washington alum and former world champion Brad Walker, instantly reviewed her jump on Walker's iPad.
Eleven of the twelve vaulters advanced to the final at that height, with only one who cleared 14-3.25 (4.35m) advanced to the final, which is set for Sunday at 5:25pm.
On the track Friday afternoon, Ed Trippas of Australia, who will use his remaining eligibility at the University of Washington after graduating from Princeton, finished sixth in heat 2 of the 3000 steeplechase in a time of 8:23.83, as the top 3 in each heat advanced to the finals on Monday, plus the six fastest time qualifiers.
Trippas' time would exceed Dan Bell's UW school record of 8:32.27 set in 1987.
In the women's 1500, Marta Pen Freitas of Portugal and the Seattle based Brooks Beasts, tried to make a charge late race to get one of the six qualifying spots to the semifinals Saturday, but fell one place short, finishing seventh in 4:08.58.
On the road outside Autzen Stadium, Dan Nehnevaj of Vancouver finished 43rd in the mens 20 kilometer race walk, covering the distance in 1:43:07.
Here's a photo recap of how athletes with Washington ties did Friday, via Instagram:
Saturday, former Renton resident Devon Allen goes in the first round of the men's 110 hurdles at 11:25 am.
At 1:20 pm, Federal Way native Jordin Andrade of Cape Verde will run in the first round of the men's 400 hurdles.
At 6:30 pm, Olympic bronze medalist Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts and Great Britain, along with former Husky Sam Tanner of New Zealand will run in the first round of the men's 1500.
Joining them is former Oregon All-American Johnny Gregorek, who is being coached remotely by Washington men's head coach Andy Powell. Powell coached him while he was an assistant at Oregon.
The link to the Oregon22 microsite on the World Athletics web site, which includes start lists and results is available here.
NOTE: World Athletics and the Oregon22 organizing committee contributed to this report.
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