Hana Moll's phenomenal season closes in Budapest with a second place finish at Ultimate Championships...
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| Hana Moll consults with Washington coaches Tim Reilly and Toby Stevenson between jumps (Jeff Cohen photo) |
BUDAPEST--Hana Moll's phenomenal 2026 season came to an end, as she finished second at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in the pole vault on a count back to fellow American Sandi Morris.
The competition between the eight women in the field initially appeared to go the way of the Diamond League finals last week in Brussels, with the Olympia native and Switzerland's Angelica Moser controlling the competition.
The University of Washington rising senior made the first four bars: 14-9 (4.50m), 15-5 (4.70m), 15-9 (4.80m) and 15-11 (4.85m).
After former Pullman resident and defending world champion Katie Moon went out with three misses at 15-9 (4.80m), the field was cut to five.
At 15-11, Moll and Moser both cleared on their first attempt, but Moll had the advantage due to Moser needing a second attempt at 15-5 (4.70m).
Veteran Sandi Morris, one of five Americans to have ever cleared 16 feet in their career, decided to pass at 15-11 (4.85m) for a shot at 16-0.75 (4.90m).
At that height, Morris' gamble paid off, as she made it on her second attempt to wrest the lead from Moll. Moll needed a clutch third attempt to stay alive, while Moser missed all three attempts, relegating her to third.
Moll's attempts to re-take the lead went for naught, as she missed all three attempts at what would have been a personal best of 16-2.75 (4.95m). Morris, who was jumping after Moll, got the win after Moll's third miss.
With the victory, Morris moved the bar up to 16-4.75 (5.00m) for one shot, and missed.
Morris has won two world indoor titles, an Olympic silver and four world outdoor silvers, but this was her first global outdoor title.
This competition marked just the second time in history that two women had cleared 16.0.75 (4.90m) in an outdoor competition. The first time was at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, where Morris took silver.
Moll was a fan of the new event. “It is a lot less taxing not to have to do a preliminary round before the final,” she said. “I think that is one of the reasons why we saw so many high bars because everyone was fresh and ready.”
In a text to publisher Paul Merca, Washington assistant coach Tim Reilly, who was with Moll during her tour of Europe, said, "Her jumping has become so good and so consistent, that she will earn the world’s #1 ranking as soon as the math is recalibrated next week. When you recall her age and know she and Amanda will still get much stronger, faster and more technically polished, it’s mind bending. Best of all, she is as happy and healthy as ever, excited to return to her Husky family and to recharge her batteries.
In other events involving Washington competitors, Brandon Miller of the Brooks Beasts won his semifinal in the men's 800, running 1:43.86.
MIller advances to Sunday's finals.
Also advancing to Sunday's finals was Washington alum Gianna Woodruff in the women's 400 hurdles, finishing second in her heat in 53.73.
Sunday, Woodruff goes in the finals of the 400 hurdles at 9:08 am Pacific time, while Miller races in the 800 finals at 10:41 am Pacific.
Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts races in the finals of the men's 1500 meters at 11:10 am Pacific time.
He will however, not get to face off against Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway, as he opted to withdraw from the 1500 after winning the 5000 on Friday.
Nonetheless, Kerr, who set the world record holder in the mile of 3:42.66 in London in July, will face a stiff field that includes Australia's Cam Myers, former world champions Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya and fellow Brit Jake Wightman, along with Paris Olympic champion Cole Hocker and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse of the USA.
Sunday's portion of the meet will be shown on Peacock ($) and NBC Sports starting at 9 am.
NOTE: World Athletics contributed to this report.
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