NOW 34, SANDI MORRIS hasn’t had many victories in outdoor majors. Make that none. The 10-time U.S. national champion has an Olympic silver and four from the Worlds, but that top step has eluded her.
However, when the veteran said during the pre-meet buzz, “I’m ready to jump high, and can’t wait to do so,” she wasn’t playing.
To grab the trophy here, she would have to get past a tough field including European champion (fun fact, Texas-born) Angelica Moser and the Diamond League champ, 21-year-old Hana Moll. It wouldn’t be easy.
In fact, after her second-try clearance at 15-5 (4.70), Morris found herself tied for 4th. It took her three tries to get over 15-9 (4.80), and that put her in 5th. Moll, meanwhile, was jumping flawlessly.
At 15-11 (4.85), Morris took the advice of her coach, Brooke Rasnick, and passed. Moll flew over cleanly. Moser hit the bar with nearly every body part, but it stayed on.
The 16-¾ (4.90) bar proved much more challenging. The three remaining vaulters all missed their initial efforts. Then on her second, Morris brushed it with her legs but it stayed up. Moll got over cleanly on her third, while Moser bowed out.
Finally in the lead, Morris couldn’t relax. The bar went to 16-2¾ (4.95), a height that Moll had never cleared, and one that Morris hadn’t topped in 8 years. On her best attempt, Moll had the height but knocked it with her knees. She would have to settle for second.
Morris, with two misses and the victory locked up, figured what the heck after tearfully celebrating and asked the officials to raise it to an American Record 16-4¾ (5.00). It wasn’t close, but on a night like this, she wasn’t going to complain.
“A lot of people expect that once you reach a certain age, this is when you’re supposed to retire but then they never find out what they could have continued to do in those years,” said Morris.
“I had a couple of rough seasons but I just felt like there was something more there that I could still tap into, I’m really glad that I was right and that I didn’t give up. I’m out there competing against athletes who are 10 years younger than me or even more.
“I have been doing this for 10 years, I have two World Indoor gold medals but all of my outdoor medals at this level have been silver. Tonight I have the honor of becoming an outdoor champion and I’m excited about the future.”
Full results to follow.
