World #1 Walker heads vault field at Pre Classic!

[patchdoggydogg]

http://preclassic.com/vertical_jumps.html

Each won the gold medal at last summer’s World Championships, and both will be at Hayward Field this Sunday, June 8th, for the 34th annual Prefontaine Classic. Bahamian Donald Thomas, a basketballer who had never high jumped before 2006, won the World Championships gold in Osaka with a personal-best-equalling 7-8 1/2 (2.35), while America’s Brad Walker improved on his silver World Championships medal from 2005 by winning gold in 2007.
Thomas will be challenged by three jumpers who were ranked in the top 10 in the world last year by Track & Field News magazine: Russian Andrey Silnov at No. 7, Eugene resident Jesse Williams at No. 8, and 2007 Prefontaine Classic champion Tora Harris at No. 10. Wild cards in the event are Russia's Ivan Ukhov, who had the highest jump in the world last year, 7-10 (2.39i), and former World Junior champion Andra Manson, who has the 3rd highest jump in the world this year, 7-7 3/4 (2.33).
Walker's main competition will come Mexican national recordholder Giovanni Lanaro who cleared 19-1/4 (5.80) last year to win the Pre Classic amid swirling conditions. Hoping to gain momentum before the Olympic Trials are 2004 Olympic gold medalist Tim Mack, American recordholder Jeff Hartwig—still jumping high at age 40—and University of Oregon alum Tommy Skipper.

POLE VAULT (MEN)
Brad Walker
Giovanni Lanaro
Jeff Hartwig
Tommy Skipper
Derek Miles
Mark Hollis
Russ Buller
Tim Mack
Jacob Pauli

[BethelPV]

Everyone needs to watch for something big from Mark Hollis too... he's ready to break another big one anytime!! Been looking sweet in practice!!

[vaultwest]

Anybody know what's up with Toby. I am very surprised he won't be jumping at the Pre, Is he hurt or over in Europe. Just curious.
Vault On

[jcoover]

This is gonna be sweet... ANY number of these guys should jump 5.80m+ given good conditions... they all seem ready for big years!

[rainbowgirl28]

I won't make it this year. I can't afford the gas $$ and I have too much going on up here.

[Sebes]

Sweet field...can't wait to see the results!

[BethelPV]

Predictions anyone?

I'm calling Mark and Gio go 5.80 with Tim Mack going 5.75 and Hartwig/Walker going 5.70!!

[VaultLove]

Walker 5.85 , Miles,Mack - 5.70

Predictions anyone?

I'm calling Mark and Gio go 5.80 with Tim Mack going 5.75 and Hartwig/Walker going 5.70!!

[VTechVaulter]

Anybody know what's up with Toby. I am very surprised he won't be jumping at the Pre, Is he hurt or over in Europe. Just curious.
Vault On

last i heard toby was struggling with a calf injury

[Sebes]

I would have put my money on Gio, but I don't think he's going to jump.

So....Brad Walker 1st, and Mark Hollis 2nd.

p.s. I was right last time!

[vaultwest]

Thanks for the info Brian.
Man I hope Toby gets healthy and gets it going for the trials.
Vault On

[jcoover]

Miles, Walker, Hollis and Mack will all go 5.80m! Risky call but it's what I'd love to see!