It was quite a day for Washington natives in the professional sporting world today.Today marked the Nike Prefontaine Classic, and 14,221 fans were in Eugene, Oregon to watch.
A number of meet records fell, but no one was more watched than Spokane native, Brad Walker.
Walker, a graduate of University high school in Spokane, and the University of Washington, cleared an American Record in the pole vault. He cleared 19 feet 9 3/4 inches.
After two attempts at the World Record of 20 feet 2 inches, he called it a day.
"I've never heard cheering like I heard at my second attempt at the WR. It startled me. It's overwhelming. But I'll take that any day of the week. It was great."
Walker will be back at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus in a few weeks for the Olympic Trials. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be held June 27-July 6.
Another Northwest native, Tommy Skipper of Sandy, Ore. and University of Oregon graduate, finished 6th in the pole vault at 17 feet 8 3/4 inches.
And as for another Washington athlete, Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race today at Pocono. It was his third win in the past four races. But only two count toward point standings, as his win at the All-Star race isn't a point qualifying event.
With the win Kahne moves up to 9th in the overall NASCAR standings, 365 points behind the leader.
Not too bad of a day for professional athletes from the Pacific Northwest.
I heard Casey Knopik cleared 20 feet 2 inches during his Junior year of High School but no one else witnessed it and he wasn't able to replicate it.
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show you that the best athletes come from the PNW!