Molls & Moon advance to world finals in pole vault; Woodruff and Mitchell shine in qualifying Monday morning...

TOKYO--Twins Hana and Amanda Moll from Olympia and the University of Washington, along with defending world champion and former Pullman resident Katie Moon all advanced to the finals in the women's pole vault qualifying contested Monday morning at day three of the World Athletics Championships-Tokyo 2025 at Japan National Stadium.

The trio were among fourteen athletes from two groups that advanced by clearing 15-1 (4.60m) that were split into two groups competing in adjacent pits.

Hana Moll, competing in her second world championships, made her qualifying interesting, as she needed two attempts to clear the opening height of 13-11.25 (4.25m), and three to make 14-7.25 (4.45m) before clearing 15-1 (4.60m) on her second attempt.

Moon had a bit of a hiccup at her opening height of 14-7.25 (4.45m), needing a second attempt, before clearing the eventual height of 15-1 (4.60m) on her first try.

In the second pit, Amanda Moll was perfect, needing only the absolute minimum of three total jumps to advance to Wednesday night's final. She cleared 13-11.25 (4.25m), 14-7.25 (4.45m) and 15-1 (4.60m) on her first attempt.

Staying on the field, Ridgefield native Trey Knight threw 250-8 (76.40m) to advance to the finals in the men's hammer. 

After opening with a throw of 232-8 (70.92m), Knight threw 239-11 (73.13m) before unleashing his final throw to clinch his spot in Tuesday night's final.

On the track, former Seattle Pacific All-American Kaylee Mitchell finished fifth in her heat of the women's 3000 meter steeplechase, running 9:15.52 in the third of three heats.

Washington alum Gianna Woodruff of Panama easily advance to Wednesday's semifinals of the 400 hurdles, finishing third in 54.60.

In Monday night's action involving athletes with Washington ties, Josh Kerr of the Seattle based Brooks Beasts, the defending world champion, runs in the first semifinal of the mens 1500 at 9:30 pm local time (5:30 am Pacific time).

Peacock ($) and USA Network will provide streaming and on-air coverage of the world track & field championships.

Complete results of Monday morning's session are available here on the World Athletics Tokyo 2025 microsite.

NOTE: World Athletics contributed to this report.

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