Payne Claims Title to Open Drake Relays
4/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Final Results
DES MOINES, Iowa -- In the first event final of the 106th annual Drake Relays, Demi Payne clinched another title with a huge jump in the professional women's pole vault competition held on Court Avenue in Des Moines.
Up against professional athletes from around the world, Payne used an outdoor personal best jump of 15-1.50 (4.61m) to win her ninth individual title of 2015 and break her own SFA outdoor record. The mark is the second highest height cleared during an outdoor season in NCAA history.
After surpassing 15-1.50 and clinching the win, Payne raised the bar to 15-2.25 (4.63m) in attempt to break the NCAA outdoor record. She came just short in three quality runs at the height.
"Warm-ups were a little shaky tonight but I managed to get in the zone when it came competition time," said Payne. "It was a bad wind for everyone but I pushed through it when it mattered and ended up coming out on top. It felt good to finally get over 15 feet this outdoor season and hopefully on Friday I'll be able to raise the bar a little higher."
The event was held on Court Avenue in the heart of downtown Des Moines in front of a big Iowa crowd. Six women competed overall, with Payne being the only collegiate competitor. Three women were represented by Nike, one by Asics and the final woman was affiliated with the New York Athletic Club. Katerina Stefanidi (Nike) took second with a vault of 14-9.5 (4.51m).
"The crowd was insane tonight," Payne said. "Seeing all of the people definitely fired me up. It feels good to bring home another title for Stephen F. Austin."
Payne will compete later this week inside Drake Track and Field Stadium on Friday evening starting at 6:15 p.m.
Payne's Progression
13-7.75 (XO), 14-1.75 (O), 14-5.50 (XO), 14-9.50 (XO), 15-1.50 (XO), 15-2.25 (XXX)
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