Tokyo champion Nageotte seeks first win in Reno, with 2016 silver medalist Morris pursuing fourth victory; Olympic runner-up Nilsen leads deep men’s field against past elite champions Ludwig and Wooten, plus Lightfoot and Walsh

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Katie Nageotte headlines a group of several athletes who competed in Tokyo that are scheduled to participate Friday in the global elite section at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit, which returns following a one-year absence to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

Both elite competitions are scheduled to begin on the two main pits at 7 p.m. PST, following open and Masters events that are expected to start around 6 p.m. on additional pits. College and high school competition is scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.

Nageotte will be joined in the women’s field by fellow Americans Sandi Morris, the 2018 World Indoor champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, as well as Washington graduate Olivia Gruver – the collegiate outdoor record holder and two-time NCAA Division 1 outdoor champion – along with Kristen Brown, Kortney Oates, Sophie Gutermuth, Marissa Kalsey, Jill Marois, Jacqueline Williams and Kenzie Shell.

Olympic silver medalist and 2019 Pan American Games champion Chris Nilsen highlights the men’s competition and will be joined by American teammates KC Lightfoot – the collegiate indoor record holder and reigning Division 1 indoor champion during his career at Baylor – and Matthew Ludwig.

Nilsen is a three-time NCAA champion during his career at South Dakota, with Ludwig winning the 2017 Division 1 outdoor title and the 2020 U.S. Indoor crown.

Fellow Olympians Ethan Cormont of France and Sondre Guttormsen of Norway are also expected to vault, in addition to Americans Jacob Wooten, Cole Walsh, Nate Richartz and BYU All-American Zach McWhorter, the Division 1 indoor runner-up last season.

France will also be represented by Thibaut Collet, the bronze medalist at the 2019 European Under-23 Championships.

Wooten won the 2020 men’s global elite competition in Reno with a 19-0.25 (5.80m) clearance, after Ludwig prevailed in 2019 by clearing 18-9 (5.71m).

Morris won three straight women’s global elite titles from 2016-18, with Nageotte still seeking her first victory in Reno after placing second twice and third in 2020.