Moon and Morris highlight women’s group, with Kendricks returning to Reno for the first time since 2018 to join deep men’s field

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

One of the deepest groups of American men’s competitors ever assembled on U.S. soil outside of a national championship meet, along with three of the most accomplished female athletes in the event’s history are all scheduled to attend the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

The women’s elite competition scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST Friday is expected to include two-time World champion and reigning Olympic gold medalist Katie Moon, two-time World Indoor champion and Olympic silver medalist Sandi Morris and Greek star Katerina Stefanidi – the 2016 Olympic gold medalist and 2017 World champion – along with Canadian standout Anicka Newell and American professional athletes Olivia Gruver, Gabriela Leon, Emily Grove, Morgann LeLeux Romero, Sydney Clute, Kortney Oates, Marissa Kalsey and Mackenzie Shell-Beukes, in addition to Washington freshman Hana Moll.

Sam Kendricks, a two-time World champion and Olympic bronze medalist, is scheduled to return to the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit for the first time since 2018, highlighting a men’s elite section that also includes Olympic and World silver medalist Chris Nilsen, as well as KC Lightfoot, Zach Bradford, Jacob Wooten, Luke Winder, Branson Ellis, Clayton Fritsch, Matt Ludwig, Austin Miller and Trevor Stephenson.

French athlete Thibaut Collet, last year’s winner of the men’s elite section at 19-0.75 (5.81m), is also expected to vault Friday in Reno.

Kendricks won the USATF Indoor title last year with a 19-4.75 (5.91m) clearance at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico, the same venue that will play host Feb. 16-17 to this season’s championship event.

Wooten, Lightfoot, Ludwig and Winder rounded out the top five last year at the final in New Mexico.

Wooten matched Collet with a 19-0.75 clearance last year at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit, with the French competitor prevailing on fewer attempts.

Moon and Grove took the top two spots at last year’s USATF Indoor final, with Hana Moll and Leon securing fifth and sixth, respectively, both with 14-9.50 (4.51m) clearances.

Hana Moll was third last year in Reno by clearing 14-9.50, with LeLeux Romero placing second by also achieving a 14-9.50 clearance on her second opportunity to prevail on fewer attempts.

Amanda Moll, who won the women’s elite section last year with a national high school all-time indoor mark of 15-1.50 (4.61m) representing Northwest Pole Vault Club, is not expected to compete Friday.

Stefanidi began her year by clearing 15 feet (4.57m) to win the Pole Vault in Paradise event Jan. 4 in Florida.

The elite high school boys and girls sections are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PST Saturday in Reno.

Bryce Barkdull, a senior at Andover Central High in Kansas representing Shocker Track, is one of three male entries in the boys elite section with 17-foot clearances, along with Paul Migas of Lake Villa High in Illinois and RISE Pole Vault, as well as Dyson Wicker from Rockwall-Heath High and Texas Express.

Hannah Grace of Coastal Christian High in North Carolina, Kourtney Rathke from Peak to Peak High in Colorado representing Above the Bar and Addison Kleinke of Churchill High in Oregon are the top entries in the girls elite section, each with entry marks of at least 13-6 (4.11m).