ASHLAND — Katie Nageotte didn’t just punch her ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. The Ashland University product secured her place in history.
Nageotte won the women’s pole vault competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday night. Her vault of 16-feet, 2.75 inches is the the best vault in the world this year and the third best outdoor vault in the history of the sport, as well as an Olympic Trials record and a personal best.
Nageotte entered the competition at 15-1 and cleared her first attempts at 15-1 and 15-5 before passing at 15-7. By that time, only Nageotte and Morgann LeLeux remained. Nageotte cleared her first attempt at 15-9. LeLeux missed her only attempt at 15-9 before retiring. Nageotte then cleared her second attempt at 16-2.75.
“Katie Nageotte is one of the best women’s vaulters in the world,” AU coach and former Olympian Jud Logan said last week. “When you get to the Olympic Trials final, it’s about who has the best mental fortitude.”
AU’s Trevor Bassitt battled his way through two days of qualifying to reach the finals in the men’s 400 meter hurdles. Bassitt earned one of the at-large qualifying spots during Thursday’s opening round, finishing 13th in 49.99 seconds. Bassitt finished eighth in Friday’s semifinals, finishing in 49.37 and earning a spot in Saturday’s finals. He was eighth in the finals in 50.03.
The Tokyo Games, which were delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, begin July 23 and run through Aug. 8. The women’s pole vault competition qualifying rounds will be held Aug. 6. The finals are Aug. 5.
