American Record: Brad Walker, 19-9.75
2007 U.S. Champion: Brad Walker, 18-8.25
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: Tim Mack, 19-4.25
Top 5 Seed Times
1.) Brad Walker, 19-9.75
2.) Tim Mack, 19-2.75
3.) Jeff Hartwig, 19-2.25
4.) Jacob Pauli, 19-1
5.) Tommy Skipper, 19-0.75
If momentum mattered most in the Olympic Trials, then everybody but Brad Walker would be shooting for second. The 2003 University of Washington graduate broke the American record at the Prefontaine Classic on June 8 at Hayward Field. It wasn’t just a remarkable vault nationally – it was the highest vault in the world in seven years. Previous record holder Jeff Hartwig, now 40, still seems to be able to defy age and produce, taking second at the 2007 U.S. Championships and winning the national indoor title the same year.
Don’t count out 2004 Olympic champion and record holder Tim Mack, 2006 U.S. champion Russ Buller or former Oregon pole vaulter Tommy Skipper for members of the three-man team. If anyone knows anything about competing at Hayward Field, it’s Skipper, the five-time NCAA champion who famously cleared his only attempt at 19 feet in March 2006, winning the Oregon Preview competition.
Jacob Pauli and Derek Miles also have what it takes to be a factor.