Stephen F. Austin
Longhorn Invitational
Payne Wins 10th Title of 2015 in Austin
5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Complete Results
AUSTIN, Texas -- For the 10th time in 2015, Stephen F. Austin's Demi Payne claimed an individual title on the women's pole vault circuit, prevailing over a 28-woman field at the Longhorn Invitational on Saturday afternoon. She cleared a top height of 14-9.5 (4.51m) to best the second closest competitor by six inches.
Payne opened Saturday's competition at 13-11.75 (4.26m) and then cleared 14-3.5 (4.36m) before passing at the next two heights. With only two women remaining in the hunt, Payne breezed over 14-9.5 on her first attempt while Tori Pena of Ireland was unable to match Payne's efforts.
Payne, who broke the collegiate outdoor record last week in Des Moines, has now won four times this outdoor season. She has been the top collegiate finisher in five straight meets overall.
Also in action on Saturday at the University of Texas were men's pole vaulters Daven Murphree and Cameron Meyer. The SFA duo finished fifth and sixth, respectively, out of 29 men. Each Lumberjack cleared 17-0 (5.18m). Both Murphree and Meyer took care of the 17-foot bar in one attempt while Murphree took fewer tries at the lower heights to edge Meyer in the tiebreak.
Payne and Murphree will now begin preparation for the 2015 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships held in Hammond, Louisiana next weekend. The Ladyjacks and Lumberjacks will look to complete the 2015 sweep as both squads won the indoor team titles in February.
-SFA-
