TicketsApril 26, 2013
Mackenzie Fields added another major accomplishment to her storied senior season, winning the women's pole vault title at the Drake Relays Friday. Teammate Alyssa McBride finished 10th in the competition. In the men's pole vault, UC's Josh Dangel did not clear the opening height. The meet is being held in Drake University's Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
Fields won with a height of 13' 9.25". She'd gone to her last of three attempts at the opening height of 12' 9.5" and then again 13' 3.5", clearing the bar on her final try each time. She then made 13' 9.25" on her first attempt and waited while four other competitors missed on all three of their tries. Fields then took three attempts at 14' 4" - which would have been a Drake Relays and UC record - but missed on three attempts.
"It was a bit of a windy day, so I started off a little bit shaky," said Fields. "I came in at the opening bar. Then the next two were a little shaky. On the third one I got it together and got the first attempt made and that helped. I made it at 4.20, but missed at 4.37.
"I made 4.32 last week, so it's not my best, but I'm happy with it.
"This was my third time at Drake. My freshman year I no heighted and last year only cleared 4 meters so I finally had a good meet here. It has always been great here."
McBride made the opening height of 12' 9.5 to for 10th place.