Amanda Moll Downs National Pole Vault Record At Texas Relays


* Capital's Amanda Moll clearing a bar at the Outdoor Nationals in 2021

Photo Credit: Jodani Photography

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Amanda Moll had one last chance for history. 

And with her last attempt waiting at a new national record height in the in the high school girls 'A' section of the pole vault on Friday at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, the Olympia Capital High School junior capitalized, clearing 4.51 meters (14 feet, 9.50 inches) to surpass the former outdoor record held by Paige Sommers

It continued an assault on the national outdoor record in the girls pole vault, which had been surpassed over the last three seasons in 2021, 2020 and 2019. 

Importantly, though, it also surpassed the overall national record across both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

In February, Moll tied the mark of 14-9, formerly held by Chloe Cunliffe West Seattle -- also a former teammate of Moll's with the Northwest Pole Vault Club -- when she finished fourth at the USATF Indoor Championships. 

Perhaps Mike Myers Stadium was just the right venue. 

At the same place where Mondo Duplantis broke a World U20 and high school national record during his time at Lafayette High School in 2018 -- the World Record holder went 19-5 at the meet -- Moll found a way toward her own mark. 

It wasn't easy. 

Moll came in at 4.15 meters (13-7.25) and needed two attempts to clear the height. Her sister, Hana, also came in at 4.15m but struggled, missing her first three attempts. 

Then after a first-height clearance at 13-11.25, Amanda moved up to 4.40 (14-5.25), needing all three attempts to get by. 

As the bar moved up to a new record of 4.51 meters, Moll once again couldn't find her form over the first two attempts. 

The third, however, was just right. 

Amanda attempted three times at 15-1. It was the second straight meet where she attempted a height over 15 feet -- a potential sign that Moll could eventually topple the mark with the right amount of practice.