Allison Stokke Article (CA)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/03/2 ... 458994.php

Stokke just misses national pole-vault record

By EUGENE W. FIELDS
The Orange County Register

HUNTINGTON BEACH – Allison Stokke's expression of joy was quickly changed into an expression of frustration Saturday at the Surf City Track and Field Invitational at Huntington Beach High.

The pole vaulter from Newport Harbor cleared a national sophomore record 13 feet, 53/4 inches, but missed her attempts to set a national record at 13-9.

Once Stokke eliminated her competitors, she set out to break the previous mark of 13-4 she tied two weeks ago. Stokke moved the bar from 12-6 to 13 feet, then to 13-53/4, which she cleared on the first attempt and celebrated by laying on the landing mat with both arms extended and fists clenched. After missing her attempts at 13-9, Stokke said she was "really, really, really excited" to hold the age-group record, but she wanted the national record.

"I would rather have made it," Stokke said. "Next time, I'll bring a bigger pole, a different pole at least. And hopefully I can clear it."