BLACKSBURG – While most of the Hokies track and field team will take a rest from competition this weekend, the pole vault squads will head down to Clemson to compete in the Bob Pollock Invitational.
Five athletes across the men's and women's pole vault group will represent Virginia Tech this weekend: Harrison Rice, Jacob Rice, Joey Badalamenti, Rachel Baxter, and Emily Connor. The women's competition begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, and the men will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The two-day meet will not be broadcast, however, live stats will be made available through AdkinsTrak Timing.
Tech's vaulters will match up against a wide range of schools, including three ACC teams (Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Florida State), Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina, FIU, UAB, and Kennesaw State.
Tech Pole Vault coach Bob Phillips enters his 37th year of coaching in Blacksburg and will look to lead the vaulters to some strong results this weekend.
MEET INFORMATION
Fri. | Bob Pollock Invite | 3 p.m. ET | Live Results | Timing Sheet
Sat. | Bob Pollock Invite | 1 p.m. ET | Live Results | Timing Sheet
ATHLETES TO WATCH
Rachel Baxter has the highest vault in the ACC this season at 14' 3.25" (4.35m), which she reached in last weekend's Hokie Invitational. The reigning ACC Indoor champion is set to continue her dominant start to the season and claim a pole vault win for the third consecutive meet.
Reaching the current highest mark on the men's team of 17' 3.7" (5.28m) during the 2020 ACC Indoor Championships, Harrison Rice competed for the first time this season last weekend. Reaching 16' 0.75" (4.90m), the junior will look to return to peak form this weekend.
LAST TIME OUT
In the Hokie Invitational last weekend, the Hokies' vaulters continued their strong start to the season with event wins and season best vaults.
Jacob Rice: 16' 4.75" (5.00m)
Harrison Rice: 16' 0.75" (4.90m)
Joey Badalamenti: 14' 7.25" (4.45m)
Rachel Baxter: 14' 3.25" (4.35m)
Emily Connor: 12' 1.5" (3.90m)
