They'll be back at the Big Red Barn this weekend, with the latest in the summer-series of pole vault-only events, sponsored by Vaulter Magazine.
This weekend's event, dubbed the National High School and Middle School Championships, is set for Friday and Saturday at the Vaulter Club private training facility in Menifee. This event follows three previous meets at the Big Red Barn, one in particular which drew national attention.
While 14-foot-plus girls like New York's Leah Pasqualetti and Westlake's Paige Sommers aren't entered, Friday night's girls nationals field does include among the 16 entries, seven ladies with 13-plus-foot jumps on their resumes, plus another handful within reach of a similar PR. On the boys side, there's a 17-footer, four others who have cleared 16-5, and five other 16-foot high school vaulters.
The Big Red Barn Stars & Stripes meet at the end of June, played host to a national record clearance of 14-8.25 by Pasqualetti, a high school graduate headed to Kent State, and a 14-1.75 clearance by Sommers, a rising senior and California state record-holder. Not only did Pasqualetti set the national record, it was also the first time a high school meet has ever had two girls clear 14 feet.
That meet also witnessed a 12-11.75 clearance by record-setting Missouri freshman Rachel Homoly, who is entered into Friday's National High School Girls field.
National High School Championships Top Entries
GIRLS
Mia Manson, Superior (CO) Monarch HS, headed to Michigan -- Cleared 13-7 indoors in February after winning the state indoor title at 12-10. ... Champion, 2019 USATF Junior Olympic (13-1). ... Placed seventh at the National Pole Vault Summit indoors (12-4).
Taylor Starkey, Queen Creek (AZ) Casteel HS, headed to Kansas -- Jumped 13-6 Pr in March ... Went 12-6 at the Big Red Barn meet in late June. ... Eight times over 13 feet. ... Third, 2019 USATF JOs. ... Runner-up to Rancho Bernardo's Ashley Callahan in the top flight at the 2020 Pole Vault Summit indoors (13-4).
Heather Abadie, Baton Rouge (LA) St. Michael HS, rising senior -- Cleared 13-4 PR outdoors at a meet in Louisiana. ... LA state indoor Division 1 champion (13-1.50) in February. ... Is 4-0 in outdoor competition this summer.
Katerina Adamiec, Poway (CA) HS, headed to UCLA -- Equalled 13-0 PR at Big Red Barn meet in early June. ... Sixth at the 2019 CIF-State Championships (12-8). ... Sixth in the top flight at the Pole Vault Summit indoors (12-4).
Rachel Homoly, Liberty (MO) HS, rising sophomore -- Cleared 13-0 outdoors at a meet in July in Kansas City. ... Her 13-0 clearance indoors this past winter set a national freshman record and tied the Missouri state indoor record. ... Only the third girl in Missouri high school history to pole vault at least 13 feet.
Gabrielle Hoke, Warrensburg (MO) HS, headed to Indiana -- Jumped 13-0 personal best in late May. ... Indoor PR of 12-6.
Samara McConnell, Gilbert (AZ) Perry HS, rising senior -- Cleared 13-0 PR in late February ... Placed third at the Arizona state championships.
BOYS
Anthony Meacham, Woosboro (TX) HS, rising junior -- Vaulted outdoor PR of 17-3.75 in mid June. Followed that a month later with a 17-0 clearance. ... Texas 2A champion as a freshman (15-0).
Garrett Brown, Carlsbad (CA) La Costa Canyon HS, rising senior -- Established a new PR of 16-7.25 at a Big Red Barn meet in late June following 16-6 clearances in early June and early March before the high school season in California was shut down. ... Won CA Winter Championships (outdoors) at 15-8.
Andrew Saloga, Auroa (IL) Marmion Academy, headed to Kansas -- Hit indoor PR of 16-4 at the National Pole Vault Summit. ... Runner-up at the 2019 state meet outdoors (15-3).
Carson Lenser, Vilonia (AR) HS, rising senior -- Set PR of 16-6 in mid June and has three meets this summer with vaults of 16 feet or better. ... Went 15-10 indoors at the Pole Vault Summit.
Spencer Buley, McKinney (TX) Boyd HS, rising senior -- Set 16-5 PR in late May and again went over 16-0 in mid July. ... Indoor PR of 15-5.75.
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Friday's schedule begins at 8:30 a.m. with Middle School Nationals, followed by Intermediate High School Boys at noon, and Intermediate High School Girls at 2:30 p.m. The High School Boys Nationals competition is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with the Girls Nationals to follow, approximately at 7:30 p.m.
There are five additional flights scheduled for Saturday, starting with Masters at 10:30 a.m., Beginner High School Girls at 12:30 p.m., Beginner High School Boys at 3 p.m., Elite Women at 5:30 p.m. and Elite Men at 7:30 p.m.
Check out the Vaulter Club site for more information on this event.