First Impressions - Demi Payne

Published by IAAF on March 7, 2016

Only three women in history have jumped higher than US pole vault star Demi Payne. We chat to the 4.90m vaulter on some first things that hold genuine significance to her.  

First Competition

I believe it was in Dallas, Texas. It was around my sophomore year at high school and I believe I jumped 11ft something. I was up against some really good girls, so I definitely didn’t win the competition but I enjoyed the experience. I do remember telling my dad (Bill Payne, a former 5.86m vaulter) to “cool it” because he was pacing up and down during a competition. He still does that to this day.

First Track and Field Disappointment

At a state track meet in my senior year, I was timed out when I was about to take my last attempt at a height. I didn’t know the clock was running and the time ran out. I’m pictured in the paper with my hands on my head. I finished third or fourth in the competition and it is a mistake I’ve never repeated.