Snapped Pole Knocks Payne Out of Competition

By Scott Bush

The Texas Relays women's pole vault was expected to be an early-season clash of champions, featuring World Indoor Championship gold medalist Jenn Suhr, silver medalist Sandi Morris and equally as impressive Demi Payne. The trio rank as three of the top five vaulters in the world this season, so an early contest in Austin was set to be the main show at the Texas Relays, but the contest would never shape up. 

Early last week, Morris withdrew, stating her seasonal plans changed after the busy indoor season. Morris will more than likely open her season up at the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville, April 22-23, then compete at the Drake Relays the following weekend. 

Then, just when the weekend's contest seemed to be a Suhr v. Payne showdown, Suhr withdrew citing the aggrivated calf that slowed her down at World Indoors.

That left Payne as the lone superstar in the field, but on her first attempt of the day, her pole snapped. The scary incident could have been much worse, but Payne still came away with a wrist injury that will undoubtebly knock her out of competition for at least a couple weeks.

Suhr, Morris and Payne are one of the most impressive trios in U.S. track and field at the moment. While the head-to-head-to-head matchup didn't take place this past weekend in Austin, luckily fans can count on all three squaring off numerous times throughout the year.