USA GOES 1-2, LEON 12TH IN W.A.C. POLE VAULT
The location was Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon and the event was the women's pole vault. Arguably, 15 of the best pole vaulters in the world on hand for the event and Gabriela Leon finished 12th with a vault of 4.30 meters. The win went to the United States, with Katie Nageotte and Sandi Morris tying at 4,85 meters. Nageotte got the win because she cleared the mark on her first attempt at it, while it took Morris three tries to get that height.
A good effort by Leon against the talented other two Americans. Leon had a 4.60 to win the NCAA's earlier this year, but, could not quite get there in Sunday's competition against the best.
Leon was one of 14 who ended the qualification for the finals with a jump of 4.35 meters, but since she was one of four who cleared the height on her first attempt, she advanced to the finals.
For the USA, Morris and Nageotte, two old foes... finished 1-2 in the world indoors back in March in Belgrade..
Leon has finished her eligibility at Louisville and will be remembered for those winning vaults in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments as a graduate senior.
Morris did her collegiate jumping at Arkansas for two years and at North Carolina for two years..coming in second twice in the NCAA 's. Nageotte vaulted for Ashland University ( a NCAA DII School) and won the 2020 Olympics with a 4.9 meter jump.
Leon announced earlier in the day that she had picked up a sponsorship from PUMA.in a tweet.
"So blessed to announced that I am joining the PUMA fam! Excited to move forward with a brand that empowers women and the female athletes."
The event was Leon's first ever entry in the World Athletic Championships, but, we've got a feeling it won't be her last and that she's on the way to make a name for herself on the world stage.
Not bad at all for a gal from Grand Rapids, Michigan that originally started out in soccer and volleyball and originally had no interest whatsoever in pole vaulting.
paulie
I hope Leon can hang with the pros.
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