Sandi Morris – Syndication Server

Two Hogs in finals of pole vault at World Championships

Sandi Morris and Tina Šutej finished second and fourth at last year’s World Championships.

Monday’s results in the qualifying round of the pole vault at the World Championships were not much of a surprise for Tina Šutej and Sandi Morris.

But for Arkansas fans, it was another feather in the cap of two legends.

Both Šutej and Morris, each former Razorbacks track-and-field stars, advanced to the finals of the event Monday night. They both cleared 15-3 (4.65) to clinch the spot. Those finals will be held Wednesday night.

Šutej made each of her first three vaults on just one try. The final height, the 4.65, took three tries. Morris needed two attempts at 4.50, 4.60 and 4.65.

Morris the reigning silver medalist in the event after clearing 4.85 last year in Eugene, Oregon. Šutej finished fourth at the same event that year.

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Arkansas pole vaulting legend Sandi Morris qualifies for World Championships

Morris had flu-like symptoms and still took second to secure her spot.

Eight.

That’s how many times Sandi Morris has headed to the World Championships in pole vaulting.

The former Arkansas standout and Olympic silver medalist qualified for her eighth overall appearance Sunday night by clearing 15 feet, 1 1/2 inches. Morris won the 2022 title indoors and has finished second in the outdoor championships three times.

Alongside Morris at the games will be Shamier Little, a volunteer coach for the Razorbacks track team. Little was a three-time NCAA champion at Texas A&M before starting his coaching career. She won the 400-meter hurdles in 53.34 seconds.

Ryan Crouser, who trains in Fayetteville and previously helped the Arkansas track and field team, won the shot-put event with a throw of 75-0, putting him back in the Championships where he can defend last year’s title.

Morris clinched her spot despite sickness bothering her over the weekend.

“Even the most basic common cold can put you out. Took all the legal medications I could to help me get through today, all my vitamins. I was happy I was able to pull it off,” Morris said. “Can’t get better than just making the team and knowing that weight is off my chest.”

Former Hogs show out at World Championships

The best pole vaulters in the world have Arkansas ties.

Sandi Morris and Tina Sutej are not only two of the best pole vaulters in Arkansas history. They’re two of the best in the world.

The former Razorbacks made the final in the qualifying round at the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday.

Morris won the silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in the pole vault and the gold in this year’s World Championships. Sutej, competing for Slovenia, won the bronze at the event.

Both vaulters cleared the 14-feet, 9-inch mark to qualify. Nine others did the same. Morris has the highest vault of the year in the event, clearing 15-feet, 9 3/4-inches at the USA Championships.

Ryan Crouser, an Arkansas assistant coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was the qualifier with the longest shot-put toss at the event, throwing it 73-1 1/4.

Wayne Pinnock, who is currently on the Arkansas team, made the long jump final after leaping 26-2 1/4.