STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The Virginia Tech pole vault team completed competition at the Penn State National Open on Saturday with Conner McClure clearing a conference best height of 17' 8.5" (5.40m) on day one.
McClure tied for third in the men's pole vault invite beating his previous season-best height of 17' 7" (5.36m) cleared at the Hokie Invitational on Jan. 20.
Newcomer Maddox Hamm finished fifth in the invite with a clean sheet through 17' 0.75" (5.20m). Joey Badalamenti placed seventh at a season-best height of 16' 0.75" (4.90m).
Freshman Jack Helmich won the men's pole vault clearing the bar at a personal-best height of 15' 11" (4.85m) on first attempt. Gavin Horton finished third at a personal-best height of 15' 7" (4.75m).
The women's pole vault team was led by Journey Gurley placing third in the invite clearing 13' 8.50" (4.18m). Erin Kelleher finished sixth in the invite at 13' 4.50" (4.08m), followed by Kennedy Drish in ninth at a height of 12' 10.75" (3.93m).
Up Next
Virginia Tech host the Doc Hale VT Meet on Feb. 2 -3 in Blacksburg, Va. (Tentative Schedule)
Penn State National Open
State College, Pa.
Jan. 26-27, 2024 – Top 10 Results (Full Results -pdf)
Men's
Pole Vault Invite
3. Conner McClure - 17' 8.50" (5.40m) *PR *1st in ACC, 9th in NCAA
5. Maddox Hamm - 17' 0.75" (5.20m)
7. Joseph Badalamenti - 16' 0.75" (4.90m)
Pole Vault
1. Jack Helmich - 15' 11" (4.85m) *PR
3. Gavin Horton - 15' 7" (4.75m) *PR
Women's
Pole Vault Invite
3. Journey Gurley - 13' 8.50" (4.18m)
6. Erin Kelleher - 13' 4.50" (4.08m) *SB
9. Kennedy Drish - 12' 10.75" (3.93m)