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Spencer McCorkel


There were multiple 17-footers this year, including California German exchange student Nico Weiler (17-06.25) and indoor list-leader Maston Wallace of Texas (17-05.00), but Bryant, Arkansas, product Spencer McCorkel was the only elite vaulter to string together consistent improvement and excellence indoors and out.

At the Nike Indoor Nationals in March, McCorkel waged a battle in the rafters with Wallace, each clearing 17 feet before Wallace prevailed 17-5 to 17-1. From there, McCorkel moved outdoors for a series of impressive performances in lower key meets, including his then-PR 17-07.00 at the Arkansas Vault Club Spring Break meet. An injury kept him out of the Arkansas state meet, but he bounced back at the "School’s Out Open" at the Arkansas Vault Club to record a PR 17-09.00 which placed him #8 all-time in the event. He followed that effort with several attempts at 18 feet, but was unable to clear the seldom-crossed barrier.

In Greensboro, North Carolina, at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, a clearly disappointed McCorkel settled for a 16-07.50 winner on a breezy day against rival and fellow 17-footer Casey Roche. From there, it was on to the USATF Junior Nationals, but the well of 17-foot jumps was dry again, as McCorkel came up with a 16-04.75 effort to claim 3rd place as the top prep in the field.


Defining Performances

1st Simplot Games PV – 16-09.00
2nd NIN PV – 17-01.00
1st Spring Break AVC PV – 17-07.00
1st School’s Out AVC PV – 17-09.00
1st NON PV – 16-07.50
3rd USATF Jrs. PV – 16-04.75

Maston Wallace TX – If the Clearbrook TX senior had maintained the fantastic momentum he’d shown indoors, he would have been a mortal lock for MOP. With the two highest vaults of the indoor season and the NIN title, Wallace entered the spring looking strong, but his open air jumping topped out at 17-01.00 and was mainly restricted to Texas competitions.

Nico Weiler CA (Germany) – The best pole vaulter in California this year was actually from Germany. Exchange student Nico Weiler, competing for Los Gatos CA, reached a PR 17-06.25 at his CA sectional, and won the state meet, but may have had his greatest triumph back in Europe at the World Youth Games, where he won with a 17-03.00 clearance.

Casey Roche CA – The St. Francis senior, US#2 in 2006, had an up and down outdoor campaign this year, winning Arcadia with a 17-00.00 clearance, then failing to qualify for the CA state meet and finishing as runner-up to Spencer McCorkel at NON. He charged back into the national picture with his 17-02.75 victory at the USATF Junior Olympics.

Spencer was a GREAT choice - a very deserving young man - Spencer and ALL of his AVC club members are definatly a " class act " !

Congratulations to Spencer, his family, and his coach Morry Sanders! They are all 1st class people and a pleasure to be around.