Air Force Academy
Pole Vault Summit
Freshmen Shine at Pole Vault Summit
1/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Jan. 3, 2009
RENO, Nev. - The Air Force pole vault team wrapped up competition this weekend at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev. Freshmen Kimber Shealy and Tawny Lambuth made an immediate impact on the women's record book in their collegiate debut, while classmate Brandin Bear was the top finisher for the men's team.
Shealy vaulted to a height of 11'7¾" to post the fifth-highest mark in Academy history. Competing in the second section of competitors, she picked up a fourth-place finish. Lambuth won the meet's third section, with a clearance of 11'5¾". That is tied for the seventh-best mark in team history.
Junior Melissa Beerse and sophomore Rachel Simmons competed in the meet's top collegiate section. Beerse placed fifth with a clearance of 12'5½", while Simmons cleared 11'1¾" to finish 12th.
On the men's side, Bear picked up a second-place finish in his collegiate debut. Competing in the second section, Bear reached a clearance of 14'9". Juniors Myles McDowell and Joel Nolan also competed in that section, but no heighted their opening attempts. Classmate Nick Frawley participated in the first section and also recorded a `no height'.
The "Elite" competition took place on Friday (Jan. 2) night and featured former Air Force standout Lt Paul Gensic. Gensic, who is currently stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, tied for third with a clearance of 17'8½".
The pole vaulters will join the rest of the Air Force track and field team on Friday, Jan. 16, for the season-opening Don Barrett All-Comers Meet at the Academy's Cadet Field House. Action is slated to begin at 4 p.m.
Players Mentioned
