Payne Sets New PR, Takes Second at Millrose Games
2/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
NEW YORK – Stephen F. Austin senior pole vaulter Demi Payne keeps setting the bar higher in 2016. After joining the 16-foot club in New Mexico two weeks ago on Feb. 6, Payne posted a new personal record on Saturday night at the Millrose Games inside the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory in New York.
She cleared 16-0.75 (4.90m) to maintain her spot as the No. 2 vaulter in the world this year. Only Payne and Olympic Gold Medalist and world record holder Jenn Suhr have cleared a 16-foot bar twice in 2016.
Like Payne, Nike’s Katerina Stefanidi cleared the bar on her second attempt to put two women’s vaulters over 16 feet in the same meet for the first time in the history of the sport. Payne finished second overall after needing two more attempts than Stefanidi to clear her first height of the day at 14-9 (4.50m).
Competing for USA, Payne went up and over 15-5 (4.70m) and 15-9 (4.80m) on her first attempts. Stefanidi, out of Greece, also tackled the bars on her first runs. Payne beat former collegiate rival out of Arkansas Sandi Morris (Nike) along with Megan Clarke (Duke), Tori Pena (Ireland) and Mary Saxer (Nike/NYAC) on the night.
The Millrose Games are historically known as one of the most prestigious indoor track and field competitions in the world. Payne will continue to travel the world in preparation for Olympic qualifying later in the spring. She’ll next head to the site of the 2016 Olympics in Rio to compete in the Golden Fly Series.
Following her trip to Brazil, Payne will return to her purple and white attire as she goes to battle for the Ladyjacks during the 2016 outdoor season beginning in March.
-SFA-
