Pole vaulter Walker joins exclusive club
JOCKGRIM, Germany – Brad Walker vaulted into another stratosphere on Wednesday.
The University High School graduate became just the 12th pole vaulter in history to join the 6-meter club outdoors – clearing 19 feet, 8 1/4 inches to win an international vault-only meet.
Walker, who turned 25 a month ago, beat the last man to clear 6 meters, Australian Paul Burgess, who accomplished the feat 17 months ago in his home country.
Burgess cleared 19-1 1/2 to finish second, ahead of German Tim Lobinger (18-9 3/4), another member of the 6-meter club.
With his jump, Walker becomes just the fourth American to crack the 6-meter barrier. Jeff Hartwig, the American record holder at 19-9 1/2, did it five times between 1998 and 2000, while Tim Mack (19-8 3/4) and Toby Stevenson (19-8 1/4) both did it in 2004.
Walker’s previous best of 19-6 1/2 was set last year in Rieti, Italy.
The University of Washington graduate is the 2006 World Indoor champion and a silver medalist outdoors in 2005.
He’s also a three-time United States champion indoors and out.